Emirates Stadium side keen on player who can effectively fill defensive midfield and central defensive slots.
Arsenal are readying a move for Sporting Lisbon youngster William Carvalho according to the Daily Express.
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Arsene Wenger is set to make a January bid for the 22 year old, knowing full well that the Portuguese international can play both in a defensive midfield role or as a centre-back, helping to add strength to areas which the Gunners boss could well do with reinforcements.
Carvalho is now apparently ahead of long term target Sami Khedira in Arsenal’s transfer target pecking order but such a move won’t be cheap.
Wenger has publicly confirmed his intention to bring in defensive additions in January, stating;
“Two defenders left and two came in. We tried to buy one more, a defender, but we didn’t find one.
“But we will try to rectify that in January.”
Carvalho had an excellent season last term, helping his Sporting side to a runners-up finish in Primeira Liga which in turn led to a spot in Paulo Bento’s 2014 World Cup finals squad.
The tough tackler has a £37m release clause and has spoke of his interest in a move to the Premier League.
He said: “We all have ambitions and I hope one day to play in the best leagues in the world, the English or Spanish.
“It was not to be this summer, but if I continue to do my job as I have done so, it will certainly come sooner or later.”