Carvahlo CL game absence good news for Irons

William Carvhlo is a significant absentee from the Sporting Lisbon team which takes on Steau Bucharest in the second leg of the Champions league clash in Romania this evening at 7.45 pm.

It’s one of the Portuguese club’s most important games in years but with transfer negotiations going on with West Ham, the defensive midfielder’s absence is a big clue that he is now on his way to the London Stadium.

With many believing the long and drawn out negotiations indicated that we were likely to fail in our bid to get the player, this comes as good news.

Clubs rarely risk players in games in case of injury ahead of likely moves and with talks recommencing between the clubs in Portugal tomorrow (Turs) the signs look positive.

The two clubs have been reported as being 5 million euros apart on terms but ClaretandHugh was told that there is still confidence a deal can be done.