Is Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho set to become West Ham’s record signing?

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West Ham United appear to be closing in on a club-record deal for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho.

Hammers manager Slaven Bilic has been busy in the transfer market this summer having already completed the signings of Pablo Zabaleta, Marko Arnautovic, Javier Hernandez and Joe Hart on loan. However, yesterday’s 4-0 demolition at the hands of Manchester United has convinced Bilic that his squad requires further reinforcements.

Carvalho has been on his radar for some time and now BBC Sport is reporting that the Portuguese international is bound for the London Stadium for a fee in the region of £30 million, plus performance-related instalments.

This would smash the £20 million that West Ham paid Stoke City for Arnautovic only last month. Bilic certainly means business in this window and is determined to put behind him a disappointing 2016/17 campaign.

What would Carvalho bring to West Ham?

Bilic has improved his squad this summer, but midfield is an area that has thus far been neglected. The Hammers were totally overrun against United’s dominant midfield three of Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba.

While West Ham won’t be the last Premier League team to suffer at the hands of that triumvirate, Bilic will have been worried by the lack of spirit shown by his side, particularly in the second half.

Carvalho would act as a shield for the defence, a role he has played with aplomb throughout his career for club and country. The 25-year-old is used to the big occasion, having featured for Portugal in their victorious European Championship campaign last year.

In total he has made 37 appearances for his country. Carvalho is a tough tackler and would definitely bring steel to a West Ham team that collapsed with alarming ease at the weekend.

The Hammers appear to be on the verge of finalising this deal. Carvalho would be a welcome signing and another signal that the London outfit are not afraid to spend big money in an effort to challenge for a European place this season.