Franculino Dju (foto: Getty Images)
FC Midtjylland have rejected a €30m offer from Al Hilal for Franculino Dju, convinced the Guinea-Bissau striker is worth significantly more.
The 21-year-old Guinea-Bissau forward Franculino Dju is shaping up to be one of the biggest names of the upcoming transfer windows. The only question is timing—January or summer—because FC Midtjylland are confident they will command a record fee.
The Herning-based club, founded in 1999 and renowned for elite scouting, have already turned down a first official bid from Al Hilal, coached by Simone Inzaghi. The Saudi giants offered €30 million, but the response from Denmark was swift and unequivocal: not enough.
That stance signals Midtjylland’s belief they can break both their club record and the Danish Superliga record. The current benchmark is Ernest Nuamah, sold for €25 million in 2023.
Numbers that justify the price
Franculino has been outstanding this season, scoring 21 goals—placing him among a small group of players across Europe with 20+ strikes. He has 16 goals in 17 league games and three in five appearances in the UEFA Europa League.
Unsurprisingly, interest is mounting. Clubs tracking him include Bayern Munich, Liverpool, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, as well as Everton and Fenerbahce. After Al Hilal’s rejected bid, negotiations just became tougher for Europe’s elite.
Midtjylland’s proven model
Midtjylland have built a reputation as a profit-generating incubator. Recent high-value exits include Ousmane Diomande (€14.5m), Gustav Isaksen (€13.4m), Frank Onyeka (€10m) and Jens Cajuste (€10m).
They have been especially sharp with strikers: Alexander Sorloth (€16m) and Artem Dovbyk (€11.35m). Franculino, however, could eclipse them all.
He arrived on a free transfer from Benfica two and a half years ago. When he leaves Herning, it is expected to become the most lucrative deal in the club’s history—with net profit likely well above €30 million.