Arsenal have reportedly initiated talks with our old buddy, William Carvalho, and aim to ‘reserve’ him before the World Cup in Russia next summer.

According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Arsenal are once again interested in William Carvalho and have even opened talks with the 25-year-old.

Not only that, the player has apparently turned down another offer as he wants a ‘once in a lifetime’ move to Arsenal according to the same publication.

Apparently, we want to ‘reserve’ him before the World Cup next summer, so basically a pre-agreement, except the midfielder still has until June 2020 on his current contract with Sporting.

The Gunners are reportedly aware that they’ll need to cough up €40m – £35.4m – to sign Carvalho as that’s what Chinese side Tianjin Quanjian are allegedly happy to pay.

Carvalho has repeatedly been linked with Arsenal since 2015 when the midfielder revealed that it would be a dream for him to one day play in the England. However, a move never materialised and the Portugal international remained at Sporting – the club he’s been at since 2005.

The midfielder almost signed for West Ham during the summer. However, a fee was never agreed and the move never happened.

It’s believed that Carvalho would favour a move to north London over the Hammers and China, despite Tianjin Quanjian also reportedly willing to pay massive wages.

This season, the 25-year-old has made 15 appearances across all competitions and scored twice.

“I prefer not to say too much, but there is a club with which I’ve always been fond of: Arsenal,” the Portugal international told A Bola in 2015.

“Because of Thierry Henry, a player with whom I have always enjoyed watching. Maybe this is why I look with so much affection to the Premier League.

“I am where I want to be right now, which is Sporting, but if I ever do leave then it’s a sign that my work here was well done. I dream of winning the Primeira Liga here.”

With Granit Xhaka under-performing and Jack Wilshere potentially leaving, could it finally be time for Carvalho’s dream to come true?

I wouldn’t hold my breath…