Calciomercato has reported that former Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco is open to a move to Arsenal, with the winger interested in rediscovering his career in Europe. It further adds that Carrasco wants to be coached by manager Unai Emery and was even willing to join PSG (via AS), during Emery’s tenure in France but no move materialized.
Now 25, the talented forward has spent the last two years in the Chinese Super League after making a move in February of 2018. The former Atletico Madrid man was linked with a move to many sides over the 2018 January transfer window, but choose DL Yifang thanks to a lucrative wage packet, one that’s he’s willing to take a cut on to join Arsenal.
The question for the Gunners, on the other hand, is do they really need Yannick Carrasco? And the answer is, who doesn’t need a talented, speedy winger on their books! While Arsenal does have Alex Iwobi, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and even youngsters like Buyako Sako, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson, Carrasco would be a brilliant addition.
The twinkle-toed Belgian has not just the skills to thrive in the Premier League, but thanks to a background in street football, he knows how to play rough. But given the physical and rough nature of the Premier League, many Arsenal fans are walking around these links with caution, but fear not. While he may be rusty from playing in China, the 25-year-old is a worthy signing.
But that’s only if Arsenal can convince to cut his current £170,000-a-week down to a more affordable option for the Emirates Stadium side. Not to mention his time at Atletico Madrid and even for Belgium showed that while Yannick Carrasco’s offensive abilities are off the charts, the 25-year-old does more than his fair share defensively.
He’s even played as a wing-back for Belgium in the recent 2018 World Cup at Russia, and that ability could help Arsenal, given their recent injury troubles. That combined with his versatility to play across the front line, and even behind the striker adds to his value. Given that he will be joining from the Chinese Super League, things could get complicated for Arsenal, however.
That and the fact that AC Milan are also in the race for the talented Belgian (via the Guardian), could add a little drama to the January window.
