Chelsea are hoping their Belgian connection can help them trump Manchester United in the pursuit of Atletico Madrid attacker Yannick Ferreira Carrasco.
Spanish publication Don Balon have reported that Chelsea are considering a move for Atletico Madrid attacker Yannick Ferreira Carrasco. The player has been recently linked with a move to Manchester United but the Blues are hoping their Belgian contingent can help sway the attacker towards the Stamford Bridge.
Yannick Ferreira Carrasco picked up where he left off when he joined Atletico Madrid from AS Monaco in the summer of 2015. The player, though, had a very average debut season for Los Rojiblancos with just 5 goals and 5 assists to his name in all competitions.
But the Belgian seems to have finally settled in the Spanish capital and the performances are starting to reflect just that. 10 goals and 3 assists means the 23-year-old has already surpassed his debut season. And with almost half of the campaign left, there’s no telling how much he can add to this already impressive tally.
His performances have sparked interest from the likes of Barcelona, Manchester United and Chelsea. But, of late, Manchester United have been credited with serious interest in the player, which is only bound to gain traction with the sale of Memphis Depay.
Chelsea, though, have been looking to add a winger to their roster themselves. Carrasco can act as a direct replacement and in some people’s eyes, a direct upgrade on Pedro in the front-three. Also, Carrasco can easily slot himself at the left wing-back position, where-for Conte has been already eyeing additions.
Chelsea already have brilliant Belgian superstars within their ranks in the form of Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard, who have been joined by another Belgian in Michy Batshuayi. Manchester United, on the other hand, have Marouane Fellaini as the only Belgian on their books, with Januzaj currently out on loan.
And the Blues are hoping it is the presence of Belgian superstars that will help sway Carrasco towards a move to London instead of Manchester. However, one potential stumbling block is the €100 million release clause embedded in Carrasco’s new deal, which runs till 2022.
Chelsea are unwilling to shelve out such a mammoth fee for Carrasco while Los Rojiblancos are unlikely to budge and negotiate a lower fee for the player. However, Carrasco has already had an altercation with Simeone, which has been resolved. But, in case of a repeat, El Cholo might decide to part with the player.
In such a scenario, Chelsea could swoop in for the 23-year-old and are hoping the Belgian influence can help them beat the other competitors for the attacker’s signature.