Four Sporting Lisbon players – including midfielder William Carvalho – have rescinded their contracts with the Portuguese outfit, according to reports in The Telegraph on Tuesday morning, and Arsenal fans have urged their club to bring the 6ft 3in tall beast to the Emirates Stadium.

The Telegraph says that the Euro 2016 winner – along with teammates, Bruno Fernandes, Gelson Martins and Bas Dost – have all filed notice that they are to break their contracts with Sporting, claiming "just cause" after supporters attacked some players at the training ground last month after they failed to qualify for the Champions League.

Meanwhile, new Gunners boss Unai Emery, who should move quickly to sign a 6ft 3in England international whose future is in doubt, may well be looking to strengthen his options in the middle of the park ahead of the new season, and bringing in a player who can protect the back four and help to strengthen their leaky backline could be a priority.

Arsenal supporters were quick to have their say on Carvalho's potential availability on a free transfer via social media, and while one described him as "better than Elneny and Xhaka", another said "he is the player we desperately need in midfield".

Here is just a selection of the Twitter reaction…

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