Tottenham Hotspur’s reported pursuit of Sporting Lisbon’s Morten Hjulmand has hit an unusual snag.

The Danish midfielder’s potential move to the London club has become complicated by an unexpected detail – an Arsenal tattoo and Hjulmand’s admitted childhood admiration of the Gunners.

Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of Sporting Lisbon midfielder Morten Hjulmand has reportedly stalled due to an unexpected reason. While Hjulmand impressed scouts during a recent match against Benfica, his chances of joining Spurs have seemingly diminished.

The key obstacle appears to be a tattoo of the Arsenal club crest on Hjulmand’s left arm. Additionally, Hjulmand recently expressed his childhood admiration for Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira. These factors, according to Portuguese newspaper Record, have cooled Tottenham’s interest in the Danish midfielder.

Hjulmand, a 24-year-old defensive midfielder, has emerged as a key player for Sporting Lisbon since joining from Lecce in 2022. His ability to win tackles, intercept passes, and initiate attacks has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs.

While Tottenham Hotspur initially expressed interest, Hjulmand’s visible Arsenal allegiance appears to be a sticking point. It remains to be seen whether Spurs will reconsider or look elsewhere for midfield reinforcements.