Arsenal have been linked with a move for William Carvalho for a long time, and on several occasions it’s seemed like more than the usual page filler from the Portuguese media.
Throughout the links it was repeatedly brought up that Carvalho was represented by Jorge Mendes’ Gestifute group, with Arsene Wenger not being a big fan of the agent. Wenger himself has publicly said he wouldn’t be put off signing a Mendes client, but it’s pretty clear he’d also prefer if he didn’t have to deal with the agent.
Carvalho last week announced that he’d signed up with Media Base Sports, which is the agency Pere Guardiola works through. That immediately led to Manchester City links, but perhaps Arsenal are the likelier option.
Arsenal have experience of working with Pere Guardiola from their pursuits of Luis Suarez and Sergi Samper, and the agency also represents Jon Toral.
When FC Porto played Sporting on Saturday night, Record report that Arsenal had an official in attendance, a ‘spy’ at the match.
Carvalho didn’t play, having picked up enough yellows for a suspension, but if Arsenal pick up their Sporting scouting again then Carvalho links will surely follow.
Helping any potential Arsenal approach is that William Carvalho is a fan of the club and his idol is Thierry Henry.
