Fresh off of a 4-1 drumming of Galatasaray in Tuesday’s final Champions League group stage match, Arsenal received more positive news as it was revealed that one of their long-time transfer targets could be sold in January. Sporting Lisbon manager Marco Silva spoke to reporters ahead of their own Champions League clash with Chelsea on the future of one of his star players, and Arsenal target, William Carvalho.

Silva told reporters, “William is a target for English teams, but I want him to play his game. He’s not playing at the same level as last season because last season he was a surprise, but he’s improving. William has many offers. Let’s wait till January.”

Additionally, the 22-year-old Carvalho has also recently stated that he would be open to a move away from Portugal. Despite claiming to be happy with the Portuguese giants for now, Carvalho told the Portuguese Football Federation’s official magazine, “I would not say I was disappointed (to stay), but despite being very happy at Sporting, we all have ambitions and I hope one day to be playing in the best leagues in the world, the English or Spanish.”

The Portugal international finished by saying, “It did not happen this year, but if I continue to do my job as I have been doing for sure that sooner or later it will happen. I understand the proposals, but I think that there was no value for the clause and therefore they have been refused.”

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Carvalho, a powerful defensive midfielder, is exactly the type of player in which the Gunners need at the moment. Arsenal has had their share defensive issues this season (as well as in the past), and strengthening the defensive midfielder position should be the top priority of Arsene Wenger and the rest of the Gunners’ brass.

The highly-rated Carvalho, who is also being reportedly chased by Manchester United, is young, strong (6’2”, 196 lbs.), distributes the ball well from his holding role, and will soon be entering his prime as a soccer player. The only perceived blocking point of a deal between Arsenal and Sporting for the defensive midfielder will most likely come down to the Portuguese club’s asking price for their star.

Arsenal reportedly had at least one offer for Carvalho rebuffed by Sporting during this summer’s transfer market, and will likely have to raise their bid for the player come January.

The Gunners have been missing a powerful presence in the middle of the pitch ever since Alex Song left for Barcelona in August of 2012. Teammates Mikel Arteta and Mathieu Flamini have filled in at the position with some success, however, neither is in their prime nor commands the holding role like Chelsea’s Nemanja Matić or Manchester City’s Fernandinho.

Along with Carvalho, Arsenal is thought to be keeping tabs on Polish teenage sensation, and also defensive midfielder, Krystian Bielik. The 16-year-old Legia Warsaw player is reportedly wanted by multiple Premier League clubs, and is seen as a potential star in the making. Despite his age, Bielik has already made a handful of senior league appearances for the Polish club this season.