Manchester United Yet to Open Talks with Sporting Lisbon over William Carvalho Transfer

Manchester United have not opened talks with Sporting Lisbon over a move for midfielder William Carvalho, according to reports in the Portuguese press.

The 21-year-old midfielder has enjoyed a breakout season at the Stadio Jose Alvalade this campaign where he has firmly established himself for his club and earned recognition at international level.

Carvalho's rapid rise has caught the eye of David Moyes who is keen to add the Portugal international to his squad ahead of a summer where United are expected to make a number of high profile additions to their squad.

After Real Madrid were credited with interest in the midfielder reports this week suggested United had launched an early attempt to get a deal done before the end of the season.

The Daily Mail claimed the Premier League champions had begun negotiations with Sporting over a deal worth £29m to bring Carvalho to Old Trafford, dispatching representatives to Lisbon to tie up a deal before the summer, in case his stock rises further during his World Cup campaign with Portugal.

However, Portuguese newspaper A Bola claim their contacts within the club are unaware of any offer on the table from United, or any other side.

Carvalho has a release clause of £37m in his contract but United are understood to be confident of securing his services for a lower fee.

The midfielder's burgeoning reputation has inevitably caught the eye of other clubs including Juventus and Real Madrid and the player recently conceded that a move to United or Carlo Ancelotti's side were possible options should Sporting cash in this summer.

"It's nice being praised and to know there are some big clubs interested in me," Carvalho told reporters at the beginning of the month.

"It could be Manchester United or Real Madrid. It's just nice to have a great European club after me, but at the moment I'm just totally focused on Sporting and doing my best until the end of the season.

"At the end of the campaign, we will see what happens."