Man Utd offer Facundo Pellstri to Sporting in exchange for £69m-rated midfielder Morten Hjulmand - who counts Christian Eriksen as his 'mentor'

The Sun reports that United have made an offer for Hjulmand, with Pellistri as a potential makeweight, but Sporting have rejected the approach. The 24-year-old is a Denmark international and has a release clause worth £69m in his contract; Sporting have communicated a desire for the clause to be triggered.

The Denmark star is said to count Christian Eriksen as a 'mentor', and has only been with Sporting since the summer, having signed from Serie A club Lecce. The midfielder has a contract until 2028, meaning the Portuguese club are under no pressure to sell. Pellistri, by comparison, has made 14 appearances thus far this season for Erik ten Hag's side, and has also been linked with Dutch giants PSV.

Hjulmand cost Sporting around £15m ($19m) and has played in all but one of the club's games this season. He had been linked with Southampton during his time with Lecce but ultimately opted to move to Portugal instead.

It is currently unclear if United will be willing to table an offer matching Hjulmund's release clause this month. A deal worth £69m is more likely to take place in the summer, such is the cost associated. Hjulmund is likely to be back in action when Sporting face Chaves in the Primeira Liga on Saturday.