Chelsea To Battle-It-Out With Arsenal For Portuguese Star

With the summer transfer window now closed for business, it’s time to start looking at those deals that failed to get over the line and those which are being lined-up for the future. Today, Chelsea are linked with Arsenal target William Carvalho…

Chelsea are ready to battle-it-out with Premier League rivals Arsenal over the signature of Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, according to the Metro.

Carvalho has been linked with a move to the Premier League for some time with the Liverpool Echo reporting in the summer that scouts from the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool were keeping a close eye on the midfielder’s progress.

The Gunners then appeared to have moved themselves into pole position to sign Carvalho when the Express reported in July that Arsene Wenger was primed to launch a formal swoop for the player.

An untimely injury ended any hopes of the 23-year-old moving to the Emirates this summer but the Express claimed earlier this month that Arsenal were still showing a keen interest in the Portuguese star and were lining-up a move for when the transfer window re-opened in January.

Wenger was widely criticised for his lack of investment in the summer and the pressure is mounting after a disappointing start to the season with last night’s shock 3-2 defeat to Olympiacos leaving them on the brink of an early Champions League exit.

Defensive midfield is a position may feel Arsenal need to strengthen so I’m sure fans would love to see the club splash out on an exciting talent such as Carvalho this winter.

However, it looks like the North Londoners could now face some stiff competition as the Metro are citing a report from Italy that suggests Chelsea have joined the race for Carvalho’s signature and are ready to go head-to-head with Arsenal.

The Blues have endured a poor start to their title defence and Jose Mourinho has been publicly critcising his under-performing players so it would come as no surprise if he opened the cheque-book in January should their disappointing form continue.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news

Nemanja Matic is one player who has been well below his best this season and Carvalho would certainly put the pressure on the Serbian midfielder if he was to move to Stamford Bridge.

I think the Portuguese international would be an excellent signing for Arsenal or Chelsea so it will be interesting to see if either club could get a deal agreed if they do decide to make a formal moves this winter.