Leicester join Inter Milan in pursuit of William Carvalho, who is available for £14m due to Covid-19

Leicester have joined Inter Milan in the transfer race for Real Betis midfielder William Carvalho, who is available for £14million down from £18m due to the financial impact of coronavirus.  

According to O Jogo, Carvalho’s former club Sporting are hoping the deal between  Carvalho and Leicester, or other potential suitors such as Inter Milan and Monaco, will go ahead.

When Real Betis signed the Portugal international in 2018, they guaranteed Sporting 25 per cent from any future sale. 

William Carvalho has emerged as a target for both Leicester City and Inter Milan this summer

His market value has dropped to £14million due to the financial impact of coronavirus

If Carvalho puts pen to paper with The Foxes, Sporting could make €4m from a player who hasn’t been a part of their squad for two years.

Leicester, meanwhile, are looking to strengthen their side to attain qualification for next season’s Champions League. 

They believe Carvalho, who became one of the highest-rated players in his homeland after helping them secure glory at Euro 2016, could be the answer.

The midfielder made 52 first-team appearances for Betis but following a spinal disc herniation the starlet was sidelined for four months.   

Portugal midfielder Carvalho (left) joined Real Betis from Sporting Lisbon back in 2018

The impact of the pandemic on football is already prominent with leagues being suspended, but it is clear that there are greater implications for football’s transfer market, budgets, player contracts and summer recruitment as club finances take a hit.

With a new financial reality looming, cost-effective means have been implemented. For Real Betis that includes selling players such as Carvalho at a lower price, while the likes of Sporting are looking to profit off the back of their former player’s new deals.