They reinforced their midfield with the signing of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg but it’s been revealed that Southampton made a summer bid to land Euro 2016 winner William Carvalho, report Sport Witness.
According to Portuguese source A Bola, Claude Puel’s Saints tried to sign the 24-year-old Sporting Lisbon midfielder as well as both Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion.
While the report alludes to Southampton still being interested in the Portuguese star, they claim Tony Pulis’ Baggies are leading the race for Carvalho having seen three bids of €17 million, €20 million and finally €30 million rejected earlier this year.
With Sporting Lisbon having set Carvalho’s release clause at €45 million, it appears the Primeira Liga giants are holding out for any new suitor to match that fee.
Currently five points off first-placed Benfica in the Portuguese top flight standings, the report claims Jorge Jesus’ side aren’t interested in a January transfer meaning Southampton may have to wait until next summer.
That said, Oriol Romeu deserves special praise for locking down the Saints’ central midfield area admirably so far this season.