According to reports in the Daily Express, West Ham United have been told that they could sign Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho for £28m during the January transfer window.

What's the word, then?

Soccer Football - Champions League - Sporting CP vs FC Barcelona - Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal - September 27, 2017  Barcelona’s Lionel Messi in action with Sporting’s William Carvalho   REUTERS/Pedro Nunes

Well, the Daily Express says that there have been discussions between the two clubs in the past week, with the Portuguese outfit ready to set up a £28m deal for the 25-year-old ahead of the New Year.

The Daily Express says that it is surprise given the fallout between the two parties when the Irons attempted to sign the defensive midfielder in the summer, with Sporting chairman Bruno de Carvalho reporting the east London outfit for making an illegal approach.

The report adds that despite the sacking of Slaven Bilic earlier this month, new West Ham boss David Moyes is still happy for the club to try and bring the Portugal international to the London Stadium after being promised funds for up to four new players in January.

How has Carvalho done this season?

Despite telling Sporting that he was keen to join West Ham during the summer, the 25-year-old has continued to work hard and perform well this term after a potential move failed to materialise.

[ad_pod ]

The Portugal international has made 10 appearances in all competitions – captaining the side on eight of those outings – despite a few injury niggles, and he has continued to be an impressive figure in the middle of the park.

Do West Ham need him?

They probably do, yes.

Central midfield has been one of the Irons' weakest areas so far this season and the below-par performances of the likes of Cheikhou Kouyate, Pedro Obiang and Mark Noble are part of the reason why the east London outfit currently have the worst defensive record in the Premier League – they have conceded 23 goals in their 11 fixtures.

Signing Carvalho would certainly bring some height and strength in the centre, while he would provide a barrier in front of the leaky backline as he has done for Portugal and Sporting Lisbon over the course of the last few years.

What's the verdict, then?

Well, West Ham will probably be keen to seal a deal for Carvalho having tried so hard to get him in the summer, but it remains to be seen whether the £28m price tag could be too high for them in the January window.