Moyes Wants €45m Deal Done Swiftly As He Fears Arsenal Or Chelsea Will Hijack Move

The January transfer window may have slammed shut but clubs will still be working hard behind the scenes at identifying targets for the summer, so we’ll bring you all the latest news, gossip and rumours. Today, the race for William Carvalho hots up.

Manchester United manager David Moyes is keen to tie up the €45m signing of Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho as quickly as possible to prevent Arsenal or Chelsea hijacking the deal, according to the Daily Mail.

Carvalho has been a hugely impressive figure at the center of Sporting’s midfield this season and his impressive form has attracted interest from all over Europe.

United have been strongly linked with the 21-year-old in recent months with Moyes sending his team of scouts to watch the powerful midfielder on at least 12 occasions this season as he continues to draw up his list of summer targets.

Reports last week suggested that United had already opened formal talks with Sporting over signing the Portuguese international at the end of the season, but had so far refused to pay beyond €35m (£29m) for the players services.

However, the Daily Mail are claiming today that while the United hierarchy remains cautious not to pay over-the-odds for a youngster who’s relatively unproven at the highest level, Moyes has expressed his desire to get a deal done quickly with Arsenal and Chelsea also understood to be keeping a close eye on Carvalho’s situation.

The newspaper suggests that the defending champions may now be forced to pay the players €45m (£37m) buy out clause, with Moyes keen to get a deal done quickly as he fears the London duo may hijack his move.

United are clearly the front-runner at present with the club even inviting Carvalho’s agent, Jorge Mendes, to the clubs training facilities last week, but with the Red Devils unlikely to be able to offer Champions League football next season, it’s understandable they will be fearful that the likes of Arsenal or Chelsea may swoop in and steal the player from under their noses.

The Gunners are expected to be active in the market this summer and a young, athletic ball-winner in the middle of the park is likely to be on the agenda with Mikel Arteta almost 32 and looking his age in the big games this season.  Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is a known admirer of powerfully built players and someone like Carvalho would slot into the Blues midfield nicely, so either of the London giants could make their interest in the Portuguese youngster official at the end of the season.

United have endured a disappointing campaign and are expected to rebuild this summer and it seems Carvalho is a key part of David Moyes’ recruitment plans, with the Scot prepared to pay what it takes to bring him to Old Trafford and prevent him from joining one of their rivals.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news | Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

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