Manchester United are reportedly plotting a £25.5 million summer swoop to sign Belgian international Yannick Carrasco from Atletico Madrid.
Yannick Carrasco is reportedly the latest Atletico Madrid player to draw the attention of an under-fire Manchester United. That is according to Daily Telegraph, who claim the versatile Belgian wide man is on Erik ten Hag’s list of potential targets and is understood to be valued at £25.5 million.
The Red Devils are hoping to secure as many as five new signings before the transfer window slams shut, with talks underway to bring Real Madrid midfield star Casemiro to Old Trafford. The report adds that Manchester United will then pursue another midfielder, a right-back, a backup goalkeeper, and a versatile forward as Manchester United’s wild transfer scramble continues.
Manchester United are interested in signing Christian Pulisic on loan from Chelsea, while PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo is also being pursued. However, in a bit of a surprise update, Daily Telegraph reports that Belgian international Carrasco is also a ‘serious’ target for the club.
Manchester United have already failed with ambitious swoops for Atleti forwards Joao Felix and Matheus Cunha, with the former not for sale and the latter rebuffing their advances. As a result, Manchester United have turned their attention towards Yannick Carrasco, who has become the third player from the La Liga club to be linked with an Old Trafford switch this week and looks to be a far more feasible commodity than the other two.
The 28-year-old is in his second spell with the Colchoneros, with a stint at Chinese club Dalian in between. And Carrasco has been in productive form, as he has been directly involved in 36 goals from 96 competitive outings since returning to Madrid in early 2020. Also, Carrasco has 57 caps for his country and is expected to be part of Belgium’s 2022 FIFA World Cup squad later this year.
Despite having two years left on his existing deal at Wanda Metropolitano, it is believed that the 28-year-old could be allowed to leave for a bargain fee of around £25.5 million. The player himself is keen on moving to the Premier League, making him a more viable and low-cost alternative to another Manchester United target Antony.
This one may seem a bit underwhelming at first glance, but there is no hiding the fact that Manchester United are in stark need of attacking reinforcements, with Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho out of form, Anthony Martial out injured, and amid rampant uncertainty around the future of talisman Cristiano Ronaldo.
For one, Carrasco, comes with a high pedigree, having turned out at the highest level in La Liga and international football. He has the speed, work ethic, directness, and experience to succeed in the Premier League. His tremendous versatility will make him a handy tool for ten Hag if Manchester United can get this over the line for £25.5 million. Still, there is a sense of panic here, and the Red Devils must spend their transfer kitty wisely.