Switch: Arsenal could offer Joel Campbell as a swoop for William Carvalho

Joel Campbell and William Carvalho

Arsene Wenger is ready to kick off his summer spending with a move for Sporting midfielder William Carvalho - and could use striker Joel Campbell as a makeweight.

The Arsenal boss has been keen on 23-year-old Carvalho for more than a year and explored the possibility of signing him last summer.

The Gunners backed off, however, because of Sporting's £35million price tag and issues surrounding third-party ownership.

These obstacles appear to have been overcome and the Portuguese club are understood to have lowered Carvalho's asking price to £21.5million.

Sporting have an interest in Campbell who has been on loan at Villarreal, raising the possibility of a cash-plus-player swap.

Campbell, 23, has spent half the season at the Spanish club but has failed to score and Wenger is set to allow him to move on this summer.

The Arsenal boss does have other midfield options. Youngster Francis Coquelin has impressed since forcing himself into the first team while Southampton's Morgan Schneiderlin has made it clear he is desperate to leave the club in search of Champions League football.

The Saints continue to insist, however, that the 25-year-old will not leave until their £25million valuation is met.