Manchester City have entered the race to sign Sportling Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho in the summer transfer window, as per reports.
Portuguese outlet Record have reported that Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho is on the radar of Manchester City with Pep Guardiola making him one of his targets for the summer. Premier League rivals Liverpool are also reportedly interested in signing the Portugal international.
The last one year has been quite a successful one for William Carvalho, personally and otherwise. The summer started with the triumph at the European Championships with Portugal as the country lifted its first major trophy, and Carvalho was a fundamental component for the side throughout the tournament.
Since then, Carvalho has continued to remain an integral part of Sporting Lisbon’s campaign, playing 31 times in all competitions for the Portuguese giants. Sitting in front of the defence, the 24-year-old holding midfielder has been a strong and imposing figure that has kept things tight at the centre of the park.
He has even managed to score a goal while providing four assists in the season, while being the no-nonsense, hard tackling midfielder who doesn’t allow much parts him.
The impressive performances by Carvalho have seen several clubs sit up and take notice of his talents. In fact, Chelsea were said to be in the market for the midfielder in the summer, while Liverpool were reported to be targeting him as a winter recruit but both moves failed to materialise.
Now, Manchester City have been quoted as the latest club to register an interest in Carvalho. Pep Guardiola keen to add to his options in holding midfield in the summer transfer window, and is said to be a huge fan of the Portugal international’s qualities.
Fernandinho has been a reliable player for Manchester City this season, despite the fact that the Brazilian has missed seven games due to suspension in the Premier League. But other than him, Guardiola is struggling with options in midfield, with Fernando blowing hot and cold and Fabian Delph failing to make an impression.
Yaya Toure is enjoying a resurgence at City of late but he is more of a box-to-box midfielder, leaving Guardiola with just one go-to man for holding midfield in his side – Fernandinho. Carvalho, with his abilities, fits Guardiola’s system well.
At 24, he is still learning a lot and is player the City boss can work on. The report states that City will have to shell out €45 million to get their hands on Carvalho, and it remains to be seen if Guardiola follows up on his interest in the midfielder with a concrete offer.
