As covered by us earlier today, A Bola’s on Tuesday claims Liverpool are really keen on William Carvalho from Sporting, and club officials have been in Lisbon to ask about the player.
As an extension to the story, the newspaper actually has another short article saying Sporting would already have a substitute for the midfielder in case he leaves.
That would be João Palhinha, a 21-year-old who has just returned to the club after a loan spell at Belenenses.
It’s quite a weird situation, since Carvalho has been seen as one of Sporting’s most important players for seasons now and would be replaced by a youngster.
Previously the local media used to say the Liverpool target would only leave for his release clause, which is of €45m.
But it actually makes some sense if you read yesterday’s edition of O Jogo, who had an article saying the club would be preparing Carvalho’s departure.
They claimed that Sporting would ask for at least €30m to sell the midfielder, which is exactly what A Bola says today. They also said that João Palhinha seemed like a good replacement for him.
What goes against these reports is Record, who in response to the Spanish press, checked their Sporting sources and found out that there are no bids for William Carvalho at the moment. Atletico Madrid had also been linked, but it would be assumed the ‘no bids’ counts for Liverpool as well.
Sporting are going through big changes due to their poor form this season, and president Bruno Carvalho isn’t afraid of getting rid of players… as Markovic’s return to Liverpool and loan to Hull has shown.
If Jurgen Klopp genuinely wants Carvalho then the conditions are there for Liverpool to build a deal.
