Arsenal Step up Interest with Tempting Offer for Manchester United Target William Carvalho

Arsenal are desperate to prevent Manchester United from signing William Carvalho in the ongoing transfer window and are reportedly ready to test Sporting Lisbon's demands to meet the midfielder's release clause with another tempting offer.

The 22-year-old was believed to have emerged as a top target for the Gunners following their failed pursuit of Real Madrid star Sami Khedira. Their initial bid of £24m was rejected but the north London club are unwilling to relinquish their pursuit.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo claims that the Gunners are ready to pay €30m (£24m) in a single instalment to convince Sporting to sell their prized asset. Carvalho still has four years remaining on his contract and is believed to have a release clause of £35m.

Arsene Wenger is thought to be keen on adding a defensive midfielder to his roster before the end of the month and had visualised the Portuguese international as the anchorman in front of his defence. The Gunners boss has also revealed that he could bring in one or two players before the transfer deadline day.

Arsenal have expressed their ambitions to challenge for silverwares on all fronts by bringing in reinforcements worth over £60m. Reports suggest that Sporting have agreed to sell Carvalho in order to generate funds to rebuild the squad for the upcoming campaign.

Last month, the club's sporting director Augusto Inacio had admitted that they will consider offers only if the potential suitors are willing to pay the amount necessary to trigger his departure.

Carvalho has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford but Louis van Gaal appears to have not made any approach so far. The former Ajax, Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss has admitted that the Red Devils might not need to sign anymore players this summer.

Arsenal's campaign commences on 10 August with the Community Shield fixture against Manchester City. Wenger's men failed to win the Emirates Cup last weekend but the French tactician is hopeful that his players will be fitter for Sunday's clash at the Wembley Stadium.

"I'm not especially concerned. It's part of the pre-season and it just is a good warning for us that we are not completely ready physically. The positives are that we had to dig deep for some players to play and that we got no injuries. We will be [in better shape for the weekend]," the 64-year-old explained.