1 William Carvalho was part of the Portugal side which won Euro 2016

Newcastle United are set to kick off their summer spending spree with a sensational £39m bid for Sporting’s William Carvalho, according to reports.

Portuguese newspaper O Jogo has linked Rafa Benitez and the Magpies with an audacious move for one of country’s most highly-rated midfielders.

Carvalho has been a regular for Sporting since breaking into the team aged just 19 and has turned out 119 times, winning the Taca de Portugal – the English version of the FA Cup – along the way.

The defensive midfielder was also part of the Portuguese national side which won Euro 2016 starting five games including the final.

Directors at Sporting have reportedly slapped a huge value on Carvalho and Benitez is said to be interested, although he is still hoping to drive down the reported £39 million price tag.