Arsenal unlikely to make Carvalho January move
Arsenal are unlikely to revive their interest in William Carvalho in January having seen their move for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder scuppered by injury in the summer, Goal understands.
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Arsene Wenger was the only manager from Europe's top five leagues not to sign an outfield player during the close season with goalkeeper Petr Cech's arrival from Chelsea representing his only acquisition.
Goal can confirm Arsenal were interested in signing Carvalho in the summer but opted not to push through with a deal after the 23-year-old suffered a fractured tibia following his heroics in the European Under-21 Championship, where he was named player of the tournament.
Carvalho has featured in Sporting's last three games since recovering from that injury and reignited talk of a move to Arsenal earlier this week by revealing his admiration for Thierry Henry.
"I am where I want to be right now, which is Sporting, but if I ever do leave then it's a sign that my work here was well done," he told A Bola. "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. Because of Thierry Henry, a player with whom I have always enjoyed watching. Maybe this is why I look with so much affection to the Premier League."
Despite Carvalho's renewed fitness, Arsenal are unlikely to make a push for his services when the transfer window reopens in January.
Francis Coquelin has continued his fine form from last season and has established himself as the club's primary defensive midfielder, while Wenger is confident that the experienced duo of Mathieu Flamini and Mikel Arteta offer high-quality back-up and competition.
Credit: Goal.com
