Arsenal are ready with an opening bid for Sporting CP midfielder William Carvalho.

The Daily Star says Carvalho, 22, has been repeatedly linked with a move away from the Estadio Jose Alvalade in recent months, and according to several publications, Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in acquiring his services.

But according to recent reports, the Gunners are leading their Premier League rivals in the race to sign the Portugal star.

Several publications in Portugal claim Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is preparing a bid in the region of £25.5m for the Sporting ace, who has made 48 appearances for the club.

He said yesterday: "There is a need there [to buy], but the right opportunity has to come up.

"To buy [just for the sake] to buy is not what we want to do, but if the right opportunity comes up, we will do it.

"If you look at the number of games some players played and the injuries we have with [Jack] Wilshere, [Aaron] Ramsey and [Mikel] Arteta, we're a bit short at the moment in midfield."