Arsenal transfer news: Midfielder reveals admiration for Gunners and legendary striker

William Carvalho has got that come-and-get-me groove on, stating his admiration for Arsenal and their greatest goalscorer Thierry Henry.

Carvalho was tipped for a move to Arsenal in the summer transfer window, before a stress fracture in his tibia put paid to those hopes.

Arsene Wenger had reportedly made Carvalho his number one target for the defensive midfield position in the summer window, but when the Portugal international suffered the injury, he decided against going for the second option – be that Grzegorz Krychowiak or one of the Bender brothers.

Talking about a potential move to the Premier League in the future, the Sporting Lisbon midfielder admitted his fondness for Arsenal, owing largely to their record goalscorer.

"I prefer not to say, but there is a club which I've always admired, and it is Arsenal," Daily Express quoted Carvalho as saying to A Bola.

"Because of a player who was I very fond of, in this case I wear his number -- Thierry Henry, a player whom I always admired too.

"Maybe this is why I look with more attention to the Premier League."

Henry and Carvalho might be completely different players, but that shouldn't stop the great man, currently coaching the youth team at Arsenal, from getting a word in or two if Wenger does decide the 23-year-old is the man the club need to buy in the January transfer window, or maybe even next summer.

Carvalho will certainly add some strength to that defensive midfield department, with Arsenal currently heavily reliant on Francis Coquelin. The Portuguese can also put a shift in at centre-back if necessary, which should please Wenger, considering his penchant for buying versatile players.

However, Sporting have been asking a high price for Carvalho – his buyout clause is at £37million, which Arsenal have baulked at, even if recent reports have suggested the Portuguese club have come down from that price – and Wenger will need to use that art of negotiation well if he is to get the midfielder to the Emirates.