Liverpool appear ready to solve their defensive midfield problem by turning to talented Portuguese youngster William Carvalho. The Anfield club are reportedly running the rule over the 23-year-old holding midfielder, among a host of Sporting Lisbon players.
According to Portuguese newspaper O Jogo (h/t Joe Rimmer of the Liverpool Echo), scouts have been watching Sporting Lisbon players. Specifically, Rimmer states Carvalho is "a rumoured target."
This isn't the first time O Jogo has claimed the Reds are keeping tabs on Carvalho. Back in early July, the paper reported scouts from Anfield attended Portugal's clash with Sweden in the U21 European Championships in the Czech Republic (h/t Kristian Walsh of the Liverpool Echo).
The same report stated Liverpool talent spotters had been in attendance to watch Carvalho in that tournament's semi-final. Those scouts would likely have been impressed by what they saw, despite Carvalho missing a penalty in the decisive shootout against Sweden.
The miss didn't prevent the him from earning recognition as the player of the tournament, according to UEFA's official site. Following the semi-final stage, John Ashdown of the Guardian dubbed Carvalho the "one outstanding midfielder in this tournament."
Unfortunately for Carvalho, no sooner had he wowed the crowds and pundits internationally, his club career stalled thanks to a foot injury. It raises the question of how scouts are currently managing to watch him at all.
But Liverpool can afford to wait for a player who would answer a major need in manager Brendan Rodgers' current squad. This Liverpool midfield is populated by an abundance of lightweight and like-minded schemers.
Playmakers such as Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Roberto Firmino each offer plenty of technical guile but all lack genuine physicality. Even more robust types like James Milner, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can seem more comfortable moving forward.
Carvalho combines genuine strength with excellent defensive instincts and discipline. He'll stay put in front of the Reds defence and provide the extra layer of security it needs. Carvalho's presence will also offer greater freedom to Lallana, Milner, Coutinho and Co. to push forward, safe in the knowledge there's a buffer behind them.
Rodgers' squad desperately needs an accomplished player for this vital role. As a natural destroyer who is also comfortable in possession, Carvalho fits the bill perfectly.
Liverpool should step up their efforts to lure this rising star away from Portugal.
Rodgers Keen on Villarreal Prospect
Carvalho isn't the only talented youngster Rodgers is said to be keen on. Rimmer also reports how the Anfield chief is considering a move for Villarreal's Moises "Moi" Gomez.
The 21-year-old is a versatile winger who could offer genuine width to a Liverpool team too often guilty of getting congested in the middle when recycling possession in forward areas.
Rodgers was far from enamoured with his last attempt to work a young winger into the ranks. He dispatched expensive misfit Lazar Markovic on loan to Fenerbahce after just one season on Merseyside.
Ironically, similar problems for Gomez could ease Liverpool's path to tempting Villarreal into a sale, per Rimmer: "But after a fall-out with Villarreal manager Marcelino, he has been loaned out to Getafe and is said to be available for as little as £4m."
Rodgers prides himself on rolling the dice on the potential of young attackers. Frankly, he hasn't always struck gold with the policy.
But in Carvalho, he can, if he's prepared to wait to secure a true gem at an obvious position of need. The same may not be true of Gomez since this Liverpool squad is already overpopulated in attacking midfield areas.
via http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2567042-liverpool-transfer-news-william-carvalho-reportedly-targeted-latest-rumours
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