Arsenal Close In On Deal For Chelsea Target After Agreeing €30m Fee

As the opening of the summer transfer window approaches, managers are working hard identifying targets and lining-up potential deals so we’ll bring you all the news and gossip. Today, Arsenal close in on William Carvalho….

Arsenal appear to be closing in on a deal to sign Chelsea target William Carvalho after reportedly agreeing a €30m fee with Sporting Lisbon to sign the midfielder this summer.

Carvalho has long been linked with a move to the Premier League with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all strongly linked with the Portuguese international in recent transfer windows.

The Gunners reportedly came close to signing the powerful midfielder last summer but Sporting refused to budge on their £30m+ valuation, while the Blues and United were understood to have made enquiries back in January.

However, it looks like Arsenal have stolen a march on his rivals as the Express are claiming today that the North Londoners have been holding formal negotiations with Lisbon and have finally agreed a fee worth €30m (£21.5m).

The Express cite the source of the information as coming from the Telegraph, who in turn cite Portuguese newspaper O Jojo, so it seems the rumour has come out of the midfielders homeland, but it remains to be seen how much truth there is behind it.

Arsene Wenger is expected to bring in another defensive-minded midfielder this summer as Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby are out-of-contract in June while Mathieu Flamini is also tipped to leave the Emirates, and Carvalho appears to be on his radar.

The 23-year-old has continued his excellent form this season and has been ever-present in Marco Silva’s side but it’s understood he’s open to a move to the Premier League and Arsenal look like they are now firmly in the driving seat.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

I’m sure the likes of Chelsea and United may still hold a keen interest, but I think Carvalho would be a good fit at Arsenal and he’d give them real depth in the holding role and provide stiff competition to the rejuvenated Francis Coquelin next season.