West Ham to make another William Carvalho bid in January as they look to return for Sporting Lisbon ace despite ongoing ‘tapping-up’ row
Hammers embroiled in argument with Portuguese giants after they failed to bring midfielder to Premier League in summer
Sponsored by
WEST HAM are plotting a January move for William Carvalho despite a row over this summer’s failed deal.
The Hammers face a courtroom battle over claims by Sporting Lisbon that they never made an official bid for their £35million-rated midfielder.
Sporting director Nuno Saraiva branded David Sullivan a ‘liar’ — prompting West Ham’s co-owner to call in his lawyers.
But that will not be enough to stop West Ham trying to prise the Portuguese star away with a cheeky bid in the New Year.
A Hammers insider said: “There’s a problem between the clubs at the moment but never say never. The board and manager know a player when they see one.
“The player himself would obviously prefer to be here in the Premier League than over there. So watch for developments.”
Relations between West Ham and the Portuguese club hit rock bottom over the long-running move to sign Carvalho, 25.
West Ham reckon Lisbon kept changing details of any deal — including the price — while Lisbon say no official bid was ever made.
Latest West Ham News
Emails from inside West Ham appear to show the club making a £22.85million offer plus add-ons for Carvalho, to be paid in three instalments.
Sporting responded by threatening to report West Ham to Fifa for tapping-up their player and club president Bruno de Carvalho let rip at Sullivan and his business partner David Gold.
Hammers hit back at De Carvalho’s insults in the latest round of vitriol.
A club spokesperson said: “This is yet another attention-seeking allegation without foundation.”
⚽ Premier League first goalscorer special ⚽
FANCY a bet on the first goalscorer in any of the Premier League matches this weekend?
Well look no further than Sun Bets, who guarantee best price on all first goalscorers in the top flight.
Whether it's Romelu Lukaku who floats your boat against Stoke, or Harry Kane to get unstuck when Spurs face the Toffees, they'll be top price.
And the best bit?
You can use Sun Bets' 'Bet £5, Get a Free £10 Bet' offer at the same time!
What's not to like?
SUN BETS BEST PRICE ON ALL PREMIER LEAGUE FIRST GOALSCORERS
*Ts and Cs apply
Most Read In Sport
Carvalho was Slaven Bilic’s No 1 target in the second half of the transfer window after he brought in Javier Hernandez for £16m and Marko Arnautovic for a club record £24m.
West Ham have lost all three Premier League games so far and let in ten goals — which is why boss Bilic wanted Carvalho as a shield for his overworked defence.
Sullivan claimed hopes of a deal were revived on deadline day but too late to reach an agreement.
Manuel Lanzini is out of Monday’s London Stadium date with Huddersfield after the Argentine aggravated a knee injury on international duty.