Leeds were battling to sign £18m enforcer in January, now he’s shining with league leaders

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Leeds United were in the mix to sign Danish star Morten Hjulmand back in January from Italian club Lecce – but he has since joined Sporting Lisbon and is starring for Ruben Amorim’s title-chasing side.

Hjulmand, 24, starred for Lecce in Italy – providing the midfield backbone in promotion back to the top tier and then shining in Serie A. Such form saw him attract the attention of numerous sides in January.

Italian site Gazzetta Dello Sport said in January that Jose Mourinho wanted him at Roma, while German side Borussia Dortmund were keen. It came after Rudy Galetti said Leeds were among his admirers.

But he remained at Lecce until the summer, keeping them in the top tier with a 16th-placed finish. Then, he decided to move – replacing Manuel Ugarte at Portuguese giants Sporting, with Ugarte joining PSG.

A record sale for Lecce, who raked in over £18m for Hjulmand. He has since started eight of Sporting’s 10 games this term, with the Portuguese side sitting top of Liga NOS. They have won eight of those 10.

Leeds wanted Hjulmand in January: Starring for Sporting Lisbon

Hjulmand would have been a wonderful addition in January, especially given it was only a few weeks after that Leeds lost a crucial, holding midfield cog in the form of Tyler Adams – to a hamstring injury.

Had Hjulmand, or Adams, been in the Leeds side during the second half of the season, it might have given Leeds the defensive solidarity that we lacked, so badly. But, that is all hypothetical right now.

Instead, Hjulmand remained at Lecce and is now impressing in Portugal with big shoes to fill, in the form of Ugarte. Leeds meanwhile, are looking good for a possible, instant return to the Premier League.