Newcastle United are reportedly interested in Atletico Madrid’s €60 million-rated utility man Yannick Carrasco.
As reported by El Chiringuito TV, Newcastle United have approached Atletico Madrid over a potential move for Yannick Carrasco and are eyeing a late winter swoop for the 28-year-old Belgian international. However, Los Rojiblancos have turned down the Magpies’ enquiry. The Premier League club must trigger the Belgian’s €60 million release clause in order for the transfer to go ahead before the January transfer window slams shut.
The Magpies continue to scour the market for new players who can drastically improve their squad as they aim for Premier League survival this season. With Chris Wood and Kieran Trippier already brought in, Eddie Howe wants more quality across other positions and is eager to land a quality left-sided player.
Newcastle have been linked with a host of attacking candidates this month but have seen targets like Lucas Digne and Robin Gosens sign for other clubs in Aston Villa and Inter Milan respectively. They have recently revived talks with Bayer Leverkusen and have tabled a €20 million bid for Mitchel Bakker. Now, they are plotting to raid Atlético Madrid for utility man Yannick Carrasco this month.
Formerly of AS Monaco, Carrasco moved to China after falling down the pecking order at the Wanda Metropolitano in 2018. He played 124 times during his first spell with Atletico, producing 23 goals and 17 assists. After two successful seasons in the Chinese Super League with Dalian Yifang, Carrasco returned to Madrid in early 2020 and has since established him as one of the key members of Diego Simeone’s side.
The 28-year-old has largely been utilised as a left wing-back by Simeone since his return, and he has contributed with nine goals and 17 assists from 80 appearances so far in his second stint with the Colchoneros. He was hugely influential in their title triumph last term, as a part of the wing-back duo alongside Trippier that was a crucial component in providing width and penetration in the final third.
Newcastle are heavily reliant on Allan-Saint Maximin to be their chief creative outlet, while they have tried to utilise Trippier’s ball-playing qualities in recent games, which has brought more dynamism to their attack. But acquiring another quality option like Yannick Carrasco would make Newcastle an even more unpredictable and proactive attacking side.
Newcastle’s current left-sided options – Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, and Jamal Lewis – do not really have the pace, dynamism, trickery and ability to carry the ball and get into crossing positions to execute good deliveries into the box. Carrasco’s versatility is his biggest asset, as he is capable of operating in any advanced role in multiple formations.
There is no doubt Carrasco would offer Newcastle an upgrade on the left side of midfield. However, with Atletico Madrid embroiled in a tight battle for a top-four spot, Simeone is unlikely to want to part with a vital piece of his tactical setup. The 28-year-old has a contract until 2024 at Madrid, which means Newcastle will have to activate the Belgian’s €60 million buyout clause to initiate any potential move.
