Even the Portuguese press sound bored of William Carvalho now. After years of the Sporting midfielder being linked with Premier League clubs, and others from around Europe, a transfer doesn’t look any closer to happening.
Carvalho is now 25 years of age and pretty much what should be close to the finished article. He’s a defensive midfielder who some consider limited in his skill-set, but he’s good at what he does and there are far worse options on the market.
O Jogo cover the situation once again on Sunday, and say West Brom remain the only club to have made a concrete recent-ish approach, when they offered €20m last summer. Arsenal are mentioned as having historic interest, but, despite them continuing to be linked, there doesn’t appear any movement on that front.
Manchester City have been repeatedly linked ever since Carvalho changed agents to Pere Guardiola, and whilst that seemed a stretch at one stage, the Premier League club buying Girona with their manager’s brother could suggest a closer tie.
But, still, it’s West Brom who would appear the likeliest, and Tony Pulis recently confirming there’s an interest in Sporting and the player has obviously encouraged rumours.
Sporting seem ready to sell, Carvalho may have had his suitcases packed for more than a year, and it’s all there waiting for West Brom or someone else to have a go.