Manchester City are reportedly closing in on Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho.
Portugal’s William Carvalho and Sweden’s Oscar Lewicki in action
According to The Mirror, Manchester City are set to snap up Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho in a £34million deal this summer.
City splashed the cash last summer as Pep Guardiola snapped up the likes of Claudio Bravo, John Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane and Gabriel Jesus, with the club looking to bring in younger players.
More spending is expected this summer given some hot and cold displays from Guardiola’s side this season, with central midfield a possible area to reinforce.
Yaya Toure’s long-term future remains in doubt, Fernando has been a bit-part player and Gundogan is out with a cruciate knee injury, meaning Guardiola may want a defensive-minded midfielder to allow Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva to go forward.
Now, The Mirror report that City are closing in on a deal for Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho, with his £34million buyout clause allegedly set to be activated at the end of the season.
The Angola-born midfielder, 24, has become a first-team star having come up through the ranks with the Portuguese giants, establishing himself as one of the top young midfielders in Europe.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola
A powerful midfielder has an excellent passing range and can break up play in front of the back four, making him ideal for City’s style of play and Guardiola’s system.
Carvalho has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, with a host of clubs allegedly keen, but City are set to win the race – and Guardiola’s brother will be influencing the move in some way.
Last month, as reported by AS, Carvalho made Pere Guardiola – Pep’s brother – his new agent, having dropped Jorge Mendes. Now, with a move to City being rumoured, it seems that Pere will be aiding his brother by sending Carvalho to the Etihad Stadium, if reports are to be believed.
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