William Carvalho: The Transfer Saga – Part 2
Sporting Lisbon have announced that they have acquired all of the rights of a host of first team stars from shady sports organisation Quality Sports Investment.
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There had been confusion over whether the likes of William Carvalho could be sold by the club after it was revealed QSI had third party rights over the player and could potentially block any transfer deal.
However, this latest announcement signals Sporting now have full control of their players, and with this in mind, we look at the potential future of one of Europe’s hottest properties in midfield, William Carvalho and ask; where is now he most likely to go this summer?
Real Madrid
Carvalho was seemingly targeted by Real due to the expected departure of Sami Khedira last summer, according to Daily Star.
Whilst neither move ever materialised you could feasibly suggest the same would be true of this summer. However, given Real only side Brazilian defensive midfielder Lucas Silva in January this one might be on the back burners for now.
Chelsea
Chelsea got a taste of what they could get in Carvalho when he faced them in this season’s Champions League group games and whilst he failed to fully impress that hasn’t stopped the Blues from being linked with him since.
Given the reliance Jose Mourinho has on the likes of Nemanja Matic and his obvious distrust of Jon Obi Mikel perhaps a move for the Portuguese would be a particularly smart one and it’s no wonder the west Londoners have been linked.
Manchester United
On-loan United winger Nani has recently said Manchester United should consider signing his team-mate and that he is ready for the Premier League.
And United could do just that with reports stating the club have monitored his situation closely as doubts emerge over whether they should actually move for premier target; Roma’s Kevin Strootman.
Whilst the Dutch midfielder has been linked with United for what seems like time immemorial, there are concerns whether he can fully recover from a knee operation.
Sporting Lisbon
With Sporting securing the rights of their key man in the middle you wouldn’t put it past them to keep a hold of him now they have no need to sell or any outside pressure forcing their hand.
Carvalho is only 22 and has already attracted some of the biggest names in Europe, by keeping him at the club Sporting could raise his profile and, more importantly, his transfer fee as he continues to develop into a midfield beast.
Arsenal
But Arsenal probably remain the likeliest destination for Carvalho given they are still crying out for a robust man in the middle.
Nearly every day in the summer was a new twist to the Gunners chase for the Portuguese but a deal never materialised.
And with the emergence of Francis Coquelin in January it lessened a crushing need for reinforcements in the middle until at least the summer when prices wouldn’t be so inflated.
However, if their recent showing against Monaco proved anything it’s that Arsenal badly need a defensive overhaul in the middle and what better way to solve that than purchasing one of the premier talents in Europe.