West Ham United are launching a £25million bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho.

The 25-year-old Portugal international has been a target for several Premier League clubs over the past four seasons but Sporting have always proved notoriously difficult to negotiate with, and have demanded a price closer to his release clause which is understood to be £39.5million.

That has naturally made West Ham wary but they are hopeful they can broker a compromise involving Carvalho's new agent Pere Guardiola, brother of Manchester City boss Pep.

West Ham United are launching a £25m bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho

The 25-year-old Portugal international has been a target for several Premier League clubs

City, West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal have all been linked with Carvalho this year as they look for holding midfielders.

The Angola-born powerhouse has amassed 37 caps for his country, winning Euro 2016, and is eager to move to the Premier League with London offering an even greater attraction.

West Ham have already broken their club transfer record to bring in strikers Javier Hernandez and Marko Arnautovic but Slaven Bilic recognises he needs a quality ball-winner to protect his defence.

Bilic also wants another forward and will streamline his squad to help offset wages and the summer's spending.

Aston Villa are keen to sign winger Robert Snodgrass while Galatasaray want midfielder Sofiane Feghouli.