Monday, 25th August, 2014
Sporting Lisbon are continuing talks with Arsenal over midfielder William Carvalho and have softened their stance on the Portugal international.
Arsenal are keen to capture the all-action midfielder before the transfer window slams shut, but are finding discussions with Sporting Lisbon president Bruno de Carvalho to be tough.
William has a release clause set at €45m, something which has placed Sporting Lisbon firmly in the driving seat, and the Portuguese have knocked back an Arsenal offer of between €30m and €35m.
Arsenal are not willing to meet the €45m clause, but according to Portuguese daily O Jogo, Sporting Lisbon are now willing to accept a sum below that figure.
However, the Sporting Lisbon president is eyeing repeating the trick he recently pulled when selling Marcos Rojo to Manchester United, by bagging one or more Arsenal players as part of the deal.
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Sporting Lisbon signed Nani on a season-long loan deal when sending Rojo to Old Trafford, with Manchester United footing his wages. And Carvalho wants one or two Arsenal players to head to Portugal as part of a William sale.
There is optimism between both Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon that an agreement can be found which takes William to the Emirates Stadium before the transfer window slams shut on 1st September, but the Portuguese side are determined to drive a hard bargain.
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