Tottenham have been linked with Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand as their first target.

Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand could find himself in a rather awkward situation should Tottenham follow up on their interest in the summer.

The Denmark international has been on Spurs’ radar for some time but grew up as an avid Arsenal fan and has the Gunners’ club crest tattooed on his upper left arm.

Speaking to Portuguese outlet Record, Hjulmand, who idolised Patrick Vieira as a child, revealed his devotion for Arsenal had been passed down from his father.

‘My dad supported Arsenal and we watched games together when we were younger,’ he said.

Given the transient nature of football, the sight of players sporting tattoos of a club’s crest may sound rather odd but in Hjulmand’s case it could lead to some difficult conversations.

Tottenham are interested in signing Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand
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Tottenham are interested in signing Sporting midfielder Morten Hjulmand

Hjulmand is an Arsenal fan and has the club’s crest tattooed on his upper left arm
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Hjulmand is an Arsenal fan and has the club’s crest tattooed on his upper left arm

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According to Record, the 24-year-old is a target for Tottenham with Ange Postecoglou looking to replace Oliver Skipp and Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, both of whom have tipped to leave the club at the end of the season.

The report adds Spurs sent scouts to watch Hjulmand in action in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup against Benfica on Thursday, which Sporting won 2-1.

Record notes there is ‘growing belief’ in Portugal that Spurs could table a formal bid for the Dane, despite his Arsenal allegiances.

Hjulmand joined Sporting from Serie A side Lecce for £15.4million last summer and immediately became a regular in Ruben Amorim’s side.

He has started 32 of his 36 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice and registering four assists.

Sporting are top of the table with 59 points after 23 games, one clear of Benfica and seven clear of Porto but have a game in hand on both of their rivals.