Arsenal Make Another Bid of £20m for Sporting Star Midfielder William Carvalho

Arsenal are considering another approach in signing Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho, according to the Daily Mail.

The Gunners' league rivals Manchester United have long been interested in signing the Portuguese international. He was linked with a move to Old Trafford even during the time of the former Red Devils manager, David Moyes.

New United manager Louis van Gaal is also keen on securing a deal for Carvalho as the 20-time English champions reportedly made contact with Sporting for the services of their talented midfielder.

However, the report from the Daily Mail suggests that Arsene Wenger now wants to bring Carvalho to the Emirates before deadline day on 1 September. The Gunners are set to make a fresh bid of £20m for the Portuguese star's signature.

The 22-year-old has a £37m release clause in his contract and despite that Arsenal are hoping a deal would be agreed between the two clubs for a lesser fee of £20m. The Mirror claims Sporting are ready to lower the asking price for Carvalho, which could come as a welcome boost for Wenger's side.

Should Sporting turn down yet another bid from the north London club, Wenger is likely to shift his focus elsewhere.

The same report also claims that Arsenal will make an approach for Wolfsburg midfielder Luiz Gustavo. However, the Brazil international has a £27m release clause and the Gunners' manager is unlikely to meet the player's buyout clause.

Wenger has Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini in the holding midfield position. However, the former Everton man is sidelined with injury and the French midfielder is struggling to regain his form.

Arsenal need a defensive midfielder before the transfer window shuts on Monday and Wenger earlier confirmed the Emirates club are likely to bring in a player in that position after Arteta's injury.

"We are not against that [signing a midfielder], no. We are like you, we listen to the names, sometimes I look who we buy in the media but at the moment as I told you we are not in an emergency case," Wenger explained.

"We have the players we want but we are open as well to any opportunity until the end of the transfer window, who can strengthen our defensive department in quality and number."