Tuesday, 2nd September, 2014
Arsenal offered Joel Campbell on loan plus €16m in cash to Sporting Lisbon for William Carvalho yesterday, but saw the Portuguese club reject the proposal.
William has a €45m release clause at Sporting Lisbon, something which allowed the club to play hardball over a potential departure all summer, safe in the knowledge that Arsenal were not willing to meet it.
Arsenal continued their efforts to sign the Portugal midfielder until the last minutes of the transfer window and put a proposal in front of Sporting Lisbon president Bruno de Carvalho they felt would prove tempting.
According to Portuguese daily A Bola, the deal would have seen Campbell head to Lisbon on loan, while the Gunners would also have paid €16m, to sign William.
Sporting Lisbon instantly knocked back the bid, feeling it completely undervalued their midfielder.
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All eyes are now on Arsenal to see if they return for William in the January transfer window, with boss Arsene Wenger known to be a firm fan of the player.
Sporting Lisbon meanwhile are intent on sticking to their stance of not selling William for less than they believe he is worth.
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