Arsenal launch £24m bid: but can they close the deal?

Arsenal have been getting their business done quickly this summer, but they’re still missing an important new addition to their squad: a defensive midfielder.

Whilst Alexis Sanchez will make their forward line more competitive and Calum Chambers will bolster their defense, I can’t help but feel that The Gunners need a physical midfield presence.

Arsene Wenger must feel the same way. After all, The Gunners have been linked to players like Sami Khedira and Morgan Schneiderlin this summer. These are footballers with big price-tags who are good enough to add some serious bite to Arsenal’s midfield.

But neither the German or the Frenchman is the subject of this article. Instead, we’re going to look at a Portuguese talent who has also been strongly linked to The Gunners this summer. The man in question is 22-year-old Sporting Lisbon star, William Carvalho.

The Metro recently ran an article that suggested Arsenal have made a £24m bid for Carvalho. They then went on to claim that Sporting Lisbon have put the player up for sale and that they’re ready to ‘cash in’.

As for how much it would take to close the deal? ‘He has a release clause set at £35m’, but Sporting may be willing to sell for a smaller fee if they receive the whole sum up front (rather than in installments). This could leave the door open for The Gunners to swoop in and grab their man.

One thing’s for sure: Carvalho has the energy and the ability to make a mark at The Emirates. He’s a real presence in the centre of the park, winning tackles, making interceptions and helping his side to dominate possession.

He’s physically stronger than Arsenal’s current options (Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini) and he’s a lot younger. If he continues to develop at the same rate, Arsenal could end up with a world-class option on their books. No wonder his price-tag is so big.

Let’s just hope that Arsene Wenger is still on the hunt for a top quality defensive midfielder. It could prove to be a key signing.

What’s your take? Should The Gunners try and close a deal for William Carvalho?

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