Newcastle United will reportedly have to shell out €50 million if they wish to sign Belgian international Yannick Carrasco from Atletico Madrid.
A massive transfer update has emerged surrounding Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco and Newcastle United, who are expected to try and lure the Belgian winger to Tyneside in an ambitious move this summer. According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are willing to sit down with the English club to discuss and facilitate a move for the Belgian international but could demand a transfer fee of around €50 million for their prized asset.
Since returning to Atletico Madrid in 2020 after a two-year spell in China with Dalian Yifang, Carrasco has gone straight back into the first team and has once again become an indispensable part of Diego Simeone’s side in recent seasons, making 44 appearances last season and boasting 13 direct goal involvements (six goals, seven assists). He was also integral to the La Liga title victory in the 2020/21 campaign.
Despite putting up some uninspiring displays towards the tail-end of the 2021/22 season, to which MARCA had earlier suggested the 28-year-old’s head was turned after Newcastle United’s January approach, Carrasco is still a crucial squad member for El Cholo as per the above report. And that the Argentine coach is banking on the Belgian international for next season.
But, having previously sold Carrasco for a tidy sum, the Rojiblancos will not resist if a club with deep pockets like Newcastle comes knocking on their doors with bags of cash for the Belgian superstar.
Atlético Madrid have inserted a €60 million release clause into Carrasco’s contract, which runs until the summer of 2024. But they would be willing to accept €50 million for one of their better attackers as they think the proceeds from Carrasco’s sale would allow them to reinvest in other pressing areas of the squad.
Newcastle will be looking to kick on after comfortably securing their Premier League status this past season and are expected to make a statement signing in the summer transfer window.
Carrasco was a top target for the Toon in January, but the transfer fell through owing to the Magpies’ relegation peril at the time. Recent reports have suggested that Newcastle have reignited their interest in the Belgian international with a double raid for left-back Renan Lodi and Carrasco mooted to be in the pipeline.
There is an essential understanding from Carrasco’s camp that he is open to the idea of playing in the Premier League. But his next club should also be featuring in European competitions, which could put a spanner in the works for Newcastle United.
The Belgian international has played at the highest of levels and is a big-game player with vast experience under his belt. Thus, if Newcastle are able to bring him to St. James’ Park, it will be seen as a big coup for the Magpies as it will bring even more end-product to their frontline.
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Newcastle and Atletico have recently done transfer business, with Kieran Trippier swapping Wanda Metropolitano for St. James’ Park in January. Whether Newcastle can repeat the trick once again with Carrasco this time around remains to be seen.
