Morten Hjulmand (26), the captain of Sporting Lisbon and an indispensable defensive midfielder for the Danish national team, is Jose Mourinho's top transfer target for Real Madrid. According to the radio station Cope, Sporting would sell Hjulmand for around €50 million, although his release clause is set at €80 million.

Hjulmand has been with Sporting for the past three years, since he was purchased from Lecce for €19 million. Under his leadership, the club has won two Portuguese league championships and one cup. He has scored 10 goals and provided 12 assists in 140 appearances for the club. Mourinho's familiarity with Hjulmand comes from his time coaching Benfica, Sporting's main rival.

Cope also reports that Mourinho insists on having an unnamed former Real Madrid player as an assistant. During his previous tenure at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, Mourinho had Aitor Karanka as an assistant. The same source adds that he is seeking a connection between the club's management and team, possibly in the form of Toni Kroos.