Tottenham and Newcastle United are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid defender Yannick Carrasco in the final hours of the transfer window.
According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur are among a host of Premier League clubs in talks with the representatives of Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco over a potential last-minute transfer deadline day swoop for the Belgian international winger.
The 28-year-old is in his second spell with Los Rojiblancos following a stint in China with Dalian Professional. He has shown no signs of regressing and has been integral in Diego Simeone’s tactical setup. The 28-year-old has majorly been deployed in the left wing-back role and made 31 goal contributions from 80 outings so far across all fronts, helping Atletico Madrid to La Liga title success last term.
Carrasco has been superb despite the Colchoneros’ struggles in La Liga this season. He has played 29 times in all competitions, bagging two goals and six assists in the process. He remains a crucial part of Simeone’s plans moving forward, with the manager keen to keep hold of his prized asset as they remain locked in a battle for a top-four finish in La Liga while also having a Champions League Last 16 tie against Manchester United to look forward to.
However, he may be offered a route to leave the Spanish capital for a second time. The player is said to be keen on a move to the Premier League at this stage of his career, with his agent Pini Zahavi in constant dialogue with Tottenham and Newcastle. The report also speculates that several English clubs are even considering triggering his release clause, worth a whopping €60 million.
Antonio Conte is keen to bolster his squad to put forward a serious challenge for the Champions League places in the second half of the Premier League season. Tottenham have turned the tide amongst their enraged fanbase in recent hours and are close to signing Juventus duo Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur. Thus, signing someone like Yannick Carrasco would be a major statement of intent from the Spurs hierarchy.
The Belgian would be a flexible option for Conte since he can play in a number of attacking roles on both flanks and can operate centrally either as a lone striker or second striker. He is a complete player, and it would be not be surprising should Conte want to sign him in order to transform him into a right wing-back, a priority area in the squad.
Newcastle United have already had an approach rejected by Atletico Madrid over a swoop for Yannick Carrasco. While there is no denying the Belgian utility man certainly improves Newcastle, the Magpies are closing in on signing Matt Targett on loan from Aston Villa to fill the gaping hole on the left flank, with his medical ongoing, which effectively rules out a move for Carrasco in the current window.
The Belgian international is under contract at Wanda Metropolitano until 2024. If a deal cannot be done by today, he might leave next summer, with Chelsea, Manchester United, and Barcelona already in talks about a move later in the year. Whether Newcastle or Tottenham activate the buyout clause to secure the 28-year-old’s services in the final minutes of deadline day remains to be seen.
