Manchester United Step Up Interest in Signing Sporting Star William Carvalho

Manchester United have reportedly rekindled their interest in signing Sporting midfielder William Carvalho in the summer transfer window, according to the Express.

The 22-year-old was strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford, while Bayern Munich star Toni Kroos was also on United's radar. However, the German international ended the recent speculation after admitting that he would be with the Bundesliga champions next season.

The report claims the Red Devils have stepped up their interest in signing the defensive midfielder after their hopes of landing Kroos were ended by the player. Carvalho has a £37.5m release clause in his contract and United are set to activate it in their bid in bringing him to Old Trafford.

The Portuguese international has expressed his desire to continue with his current employers, despite the reports linking him with a move away from Sporting.

"My future is set. I will return to Sporting after the World Cup. I'm a Sporting player to 2018. Everything else is just speculation," Carvalho told the Portuguese newspaper A Bola.

Despite the midfielder's latest comments, United remain hopeful they can lure him to leave Sporting and join them next season. The Old Trafford outfit appointed Louis van Gaal as their permanent manager as the Dutchman will be David Moyes's successor at the club.

The Express claims the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has made Carvalho a priority transfer target in the coming transfer window.

The Sporting star has made it to Paulo Bento's squad for the World Cup and any approach from United for Carvalho would see them wait till Portugal ends their campaign in Brazil.

Meanwhile, Sporting president Bruno de Carvalho says Carvalho could leave the club if the interested club could meet his release clause. However, he admitted the midfielder is happy at the Portuguese club.

"I am almost certain that William Carvalho will continue at Sporting. You never know, any [club] that is interested in signing him could meet the termination clause, but William is very happy and so are we," De Carvalho told A Bola.

"Let's have a year of Champions League, a year that will be important for everyone."