Reports: Manchester United officials travel to Lisbon for William Carvalho talks

William Carvalho: Promising youngster from Sporting Lisbon

Manchester United officials have reportedly travelled to Portugal to open talks with Sporting Lisbon over a move for central-midfield player William Carvalho.

However The Independent believe that United and Sporting are some way apart in their valuations of the midfielder, with Sporting said to be holding out for the full £37.5 million of his buy-out clause.

However reports suggest that officials have travelled to Lisbon anyway in an attempt to secure a deal. United have already signed central-midfielder Ander Herrera from Bilbao and left-back Luke Shaw from Southampton, but are still in the market for reinforcements under new boss Louis van Gaal, with a defensive midfielder of the ilk of Carvalho high on their list.

Twenty-two year old Carvalho burst onto the scene for Sporting this season having previously spent time on loan in Belgium, with his form impressive enough to secure a place in Portugal’s World Cup squad.

Also linked with Chelsea, Carvalho played in two of Portugal’s three World Cup games. Real Madrid and Juventus are also reportedly interested in Carvalho, while Monaco are believed to have had a £27 million bid for the 22-year-old rejected.