Rumour: Manchester United given hope in chase for Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho

David Moyes’ hopes of signing highly-rated Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho have received a boost, following the news that the Portuguese outfit have found his replacement, reports the Mirror.

The 21-year-old has an enormous buy-out clause of £37.5 million inserted into his contract, so the proposed move would make him Old Trafford’s record signing, eclipsing the fee they paid for Juan Mata in January.

Sporting were unwilling to let the youngster leave until they had identified his long term replacement but have now done so in Estoril’s Goncalo and are willing to cash in on Carvalho for a huge profit.

Moyes has sent scouts to watch the Angolan born youngster, who has represented Portugal at every junior level, at least eight times this season and would represent real intent from the Scot to stamp his mark on the squad that he inherited from Sir Alex Ferguson last summer.

United’s midfield have produced a string of lacklustre performances this season that has left the reigning champions languishing in seventh place in the Premier League table. New recruits are desperately needed if they are to challenge for the title next season.

Red Devils favourite Cristiano Ronaldo famously signed from Sporting Lisbon back in 2003, and if Carvalho turns out to be half the player that his countryman was during his spell in England it would certainly help to detract from some of the criticism currently being aimed at Moyes.

William Carvalho has made 17 first team appearances for Sporting Lisbon.