Despite being in talks with Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho for the past few weeks now, West Ham United run the risk of losing the Portuguese midfielder as the Liga NOS club have demanded a higher price for their player, after initially agreeing to a fee.
Reportedly, the player is open to move to the Premier League with the club asking for potential suitors to meet his £40m release clause in his contract. Carvalho’s quality from the central midfield is undeniable and following West Ham’s opening day loss, the need for a midfielder becomes all the more quintessential as they head into the last two weeks of the transfer window.
Although Carvalho was left out of the matchday squad where Sporting CP played a 0-0 draw against Steaua Bucharest in the first leg draw on Tuesday, the Hammers still had their opening offer turned down. The club has brought in midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia, who is looked upon by many as the potential replacement for Carvalho, but nothing remains concrete at the moment.
Here are 3 alternatives if West Ham miss out on him
Jack Wilshere- The Arsenal midfielder is slowly returning to full fitness from his fractured leg that he suffered last season. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is willing to give him a chance this season, although their squad remain full in the midfield leaving hardly any space for the player.
Wilshere was voted Bournemouth’s player of the month quite a few times last season and when he’s fit, there is hardly any midfielder in the league who can match his vision and impeccable passing. With World Cup year coming up, Slaven Bilic could expect a more determined display from the player.
James McCarthy- The Irish midfielder is due to return next week from his knee injury but would hardly expect to get a chance in Everton’s squad at the moment. With Morgan Schneiderlin, Idrissa Gueye, Tom Davies and Muhamed Besic, all preferred above him in the central midfield position, McCarthy is surely seeking regular chances elsewhere.
McCarthy has chunks of experience nonetheless. He has played over 300 games in England since joining Wigan Athletic back in 2009/10 season.
Fabian Delph- Yet another option in the midfield who is redundant to his side. The English midfielder has shown sparks of brilliance playing in the ending games for Manchester City last season, and if remains injury free, his quality from the deep midfield is undeniable.
One of the highly rated academy product of Yorkshire club Leeds United, Delph has all the qualities to be a complete midfielder in the Premier League. Alongside Mark Noble, he could provide the perfect balance to West Ham’s midfield.
