Sporting’s Carvalho is a much coveted youngster in Europe.
AS Monaco have become the latest club to enter the race, along with Manchester United, to sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, reports Inside Futbol.
The 21-year-old is thought to be close to completing a deal with the Premier League champions, but mega rich Monaco could upset things at the 11th hour.
Due to their huge financial backing from Russian billionaire owner Dmitry Rybolovlev money is no object for the Principality club and they could easily meet Carvalho’s £37.7m release clause.
The side want a battling midfielder and in the Portugal international they see the ideal candidate, who is also young enough to be a genuine player for the future also.
Another factor that swings negotiations in the Ligue 1 club’s favour is the fact that Carvalho is represented by prolific agent Jorge Mendes.
The Portuguese ace has already overseen the transfers of Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho, James Rodriguez and Ricardo Carvalho to the Stade Louis II.
Mendes and Monaco have a very good working relationship and Claudio Ranieri’s men are also likely to be playing Champions League football next season – unlike the Red Devils.
Their disappointing first campaign under manager David Moyes means that United are unlikely to qualify for the top tier of European football for the first time since 1995.
As an ambitious young player this could also play a factor in Carvalho’s decision, as the English champions want the youngster to bolster their poor midfield.
The likes of Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley and Marouane Fellaini have all failed to impress and this is why Moyes wants the starlet to be part of a new era at Old Trafford.
Read more Manchester United transfer news.
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