After widely reported interest during the summer, it looks as if Arsenal are ready to stump up the required cash to land Sporting Lisbon’s powerful defensive midfielder William Carvalho.
According to reports, talks between the two clubs broke down earlier in the year. With Sporting now out of the UEFA Champions League, it is thought they might be more open to letting one of their prized assets go.
£15m was the reported first offer from Arsenal, which Sporting saw as wide of the mark. The Portuguese club are thought to be looking for around £20-30m – which would eat into the majority of Arsenal’s transfer budget for January.
The injuries to Mikel Arteta, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey have meant Arsenal fans have had to watch Mathieu Flamini deployed in central midfield for the majority of the season. The club also had to recall Francis Coquelin as the numbers were so short in that area of the pitch.
Carvalho would give Arsenal some much-needed power and discipline to midfield. He would provide foil to the likes of Wilshere, Ramsey and co. and would be the long-term replacement for veteran Mikel Arteta.
In addition, Carvalho’s size and physique allow him to play in central defence, another area Arsenal have lacked.
Whether Arsenal sign the midfielder is another matter, but this is one transfer link that just won’t go away.
