After being alerted of his availability, Arsenal have put themselves in pole position for Portuguese midfielder William Carvalho.

The Sporting Lisbon star has been subject to much speculation about his future over the past few weeks and Arsène Wenger has identified him as a top transfer target this summer.

Transfer listed

Portuguese news source Record believe that Lisbon have decided to make the player available for transfer, as a board meeting revealed they are in desperate need of raising funds for new signings.

This will delight the Arsenal hierarchy, who are on the lookout for a defensive midfielder this summer after becoming impatient and uncertain over current options in that department.

Not bargain basement

The Gunners made a bid of £24 million last week according to The Metro, but the Portuguese outfit saw it as unsatisfactory.

Any deal for Carvalho won’t come at a bargain basement price, as his current team are not obliged at selling him at any less than the reported £35 million release clause in his contract.

Other options

The Metro also reveal that Lisbon would indeed consider a lower transfer fee, if all the money is given in one sum, unlike Arsenal’s traditional method of payment installments over a range of time.

There are reports that Chelsea and Manchester United are both interested in Carvalho, so the Gunners are keen to get any deal swiftly moving ahead of the new campaign starting in a fortnight Saturday.

Long, illustrious Gunner

At 22-years-old, the player has the potential to have a long, illustrious career in North London, but with big money spent already this year, it is up for debate whether another big signing will arrive at The Emirates.

Nevertheless, if Wenger feels as though the defensive midfield position is key to his master plan of winning the league next season, he will pull no punches and spend what is necessary to obtain his man.

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