Midfield target will cost United £37m

Manchester United will have to pay £37m if they’re to secure William Carvalho’s signing, as Sporting Lisbon have made clear that they will only part ways with the 22-year-old if Carvalho’s release clause is paid in full.

Yesterday, reports in various Portuguese newspapers suggested that United were set to open talks with Sporting with an initial bid thought to be in the region of €30m (£23.7m) but the Lisbon club have swiftly declared that United’s only chance to sign Carvalho this summer is to trigger his buy-out clause.

With Sporting’s finances finally restored after years of debatable choices and mismanagement, the Portuguese club have made clear they won’t stand in Carvalho’s way if the release clause is met. Paying £37m for Carvalho, would make the Portuguese the second-most expensive player in United’s history, narrowly behind Juan Mata, who costed United £37.1m in January.

As reported by British newspapers, Sporting Lisbon’s director Augusto Ignacio was quoted saying : “It’s not like the old days when players left Sporting at any price.

“We are not concerned with William Carvalho because we have alternatives, who will want to play as well.

“The termination clause ensures a great deal to Sporting. I am very pleased with the negotiations.

“It is not easy to negotiate for players, you need to be very shrewd but Sporting have a president who knows how to negotiate with anyone and what is best for the club.”