Arsenal are again interested in Portugal international William Carvalho as they try to solve their central midfield injury crisis but the difficulty of making a major signing in January means they are also focused on the available loan options.
Although manager Arsene Wenger was still saying on Thursday that he did not know exactly how long Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez would be out following their injuries against Norwich on Sunday. The initial prognosis is around four months for Cazorla and four weeks for Sanchez.
With Mikel Arteta already sidelined indefinitely with another calf injury, Francis Coquelin out for three months with knee ligament damage, Jack Wilshere still recovering from a fractured fibula and Aaron Ramsey only just available again following a groin injury, the problems in central midfield have suddenly become acute.
Carvalho is a player of previous interest to Wenger and has a buy-out clause from Sporting Lisbon that is set at £35 million.
Alexis Sanchez is also on Arsenal's long injury list
It is believed that the 23-year-old defensive midfielder could be available for closer to £25 million although Sporting, who are currently top of the Portuguese league will be reluctant to sell in January.
Another major consideration is his lack of football this season after he fractured his tibula during a summer in which he shone at the European Under-21 Championships. Carvalho did still outline an interest in joining Arsenal earlier this season.
“I am where I want to be right now, which is Sporting but if I ever leave then it’s a sign that my work here is done,” he said. “I dream of winning the Primeira Liga here. I prefer not to say too much but there is a club with which I’ve always been fond of: Arsenal.”
If you want to vote on who Arsenal should buy go here.
If you want to vote on who Arsenal should buy go here.
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