Arsenal Transfer News: William Carvalho Reveals He Wants Move to England

Sporting Lisbon rising star William Carvalho has spoken of his desire to move to the Premier League, alerting Arsenal and a host of top English clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United.

Nick Lustig of the Daily Star wrote that the highly regarded youngster has told FPF360 (Portuguese), the Portuguese Association's magazine, he would desire a move to one of Europe's top leagues:

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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 this year, but if I continue to do my job as I have done so, it will certainly come sooner or later.

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Lustig confirmed that the player had entered into negotiations to stay in Portugal with his club, but talks have not seen him sign a new deal.

Carvalho has a contract with Sporting which runs until 2018, but it is believed that a buy-out clause could be triggered if a bid of £37 million was forthcoming, per Lustig.

And freelance writer Jan Hagen confirmed on Twitter that bids had been made for Carvalho during the previous transfer window:

The 22-year-old has impressed greatly for his club and country in the past 12 months, and he has been on the radar of Europe's top teams for some time. Carvalho has been ever-present in Sporting's campaign so far, per WhoScored.com, and his exit would be devastating to the team. 

Arsenal certainly need a physical presence in their midfield of diminutive stars, and Carvalho would provide that. The Gunners have often looked short on the back foot, and their lack of a central anchor leaves them defensively vulnerable.

Themba Hadebe/Associated Press

Carvalho is a different type of player to the individuals given attention by Arsene Wenger in recent years, but his price tag might also put the Frenchman off a transfer.

But there is no doubting that Carvalho would strengthen an Arsenal side who are approaching a decade without a Premier League title to their name.

The Portugal international is built for English football with his physique and power, and with a pass completion rate of 85.5 percent, per WhoScored, he has the economy to attract most clubs. 

If it is not Arsenal that move for Carvalho, there will be a host of teams attempting to bring him to the most exciting league in world football.