According to the Sunday Express, West Ham’s move for Sporting Lisbon defensive midfielder William Carvalho is being delayed from getting officially completed due to a difference in the clubs’ valuation of the Portugal international.
While a 5-year contract is waiting on the table to be signed by the midfield enforcer, the Portuguese giants are demanding for all Carvalho’s £36.5million asking price to be met.
The Hammers thought they had agreed a £32million fee with Sporting, but £4.5million now stands between them and their man.
Having suffered back to back losses in the new Premier League season, manager Slaven Bilic has been left frustrated with a lack of a quality midfielder able to control games and dictate their tempos within his ranks.
In Carvalho, he knows he can get exactly what he needs as far as balance goes.
The 25-year-old has been the anchor both in the Portuguese national team and Lisbon of recent, helping the former to the Euros 2016 trophy and a 3rd place finish at the Confederations Cup, and the latter to the Taça de Portugal trophy in 2014-15.
Apart from his defensive capabilities in the heart of the midfield, Carvalho’s precise passing, dribbling and through balls abilities would also help create more chances upfront to a side struggling to create much.
West Ham will be smart to let go of Lisbon’s £4.5million demand, as other suitors could make a surprise swoop on their man, and that would deal them a serious blow.
