EXCLUSIVE: United open talks with Sporting over £29m midfielder Carvalho



Manchester United have opened talks with Sporting Lisbon about signing holding midfielder William Carvalho.

United manager David Moyes has identified the 21-year-old as a top target for the summer and it is understood United have now registered their interest with Sporting.

Gathering speed: United will discuss a deal with Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon for William Carvalho

Seal: United will want to get a deal done for the Portuguese midfielder (bottom) before the World Cup

The Portuguese club value the Angola-born player at €35million (£29m) but United feel he is worth around £4m less.



But with the Premier League champions wanting to conduct most of their transfer business before this summer’s World Cup, they may have to offer more than their valuation.

United midfielder Marouane Fellaini has escaped retrospective action for his thigh-high challenge on West Brom’s Claudio Yacob on Saturday.

Spending spree: David Moyes could spend up to £200m this summer as he rebuilds the squad Top target: Bayern Munich's Toni Kroos (right) is United's No 1 option

Sportsmail understands that the match officials, led by referee Jon Moss, saw the tackle during United’s 3-0 win and therefore cannot refer it to the video panel.

Had none of the officials seen the incident, then the FA would have had the option of referring it to a three-man panel of former referees, who in turn would review the challenge and decide whether it merited a sending off.

Risky challenge: Fellaini goes in studs high on Yacob and doesn't win the ball



That hurt: Yacob and Fellaini had come together several times before the incident