by Nia Griffiths

With several news outlets, including the Sun, reporting that we’ve supposedly tabled a bid for defensive midfielder, William Carvalho, is the transfer actually likely? I’m not convinced.

We’ve been linked with the Sporting Lisbon star for what seems like 100 years. In fact, we supposedly put in a £30m bid for him last summer. As usual, this transfer window we’ve been linked with the 23-year-old more than ever, since everyone knows we’re potentially in the market for a defensive midfielder.

This time, the rumour is we’re readying a £28.5m bid, with the offer reaching up to £37m with bonuses and add-ons.

I don’t even need to go into the unlikelihood of Arsene Wenger spending that kind of money on a DM when we’ve got Francis Coquelin and much cheaper options available if he so desires.

Two new defensive midfielders?

What makes this story slightly odd – or interesting, depending on how you look at it – is that Charlie Wyett revealed on Sunday that he believes Southampton DM, Morgan Schneidlerin, is on his way to the Gunners. Wyett is the football editor for the Sun, the very same Sun where this Carvalho story seems to have originated.

The idea that we’re signing Schneiderlin is more than plausible. He’s Premier League ready, will cost less (£24m, if reports are to be believed) and the fuss around him seems a little more solid. The idea that Wenger would buy him and then fork out even more for another young DM, while we have Coquelin, is incredibly far-fetched.

Carvalho to Arsenal? I’ll believe it when I see it.