Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco is reportedly open to signing for Newcastle United despite previous reservations about joining the Magpies.
Reported Newcastle United winter target, Yannick Carrasco would be more inclined to join the Magpies despite rejecting them during the previous January transfer window, according to a report from Marca, as relayed by Sport Witness.
The 29-year-old was strongly linked with a move to St James’ Park earlier this year, but it did not materialise either in January or the summer, with the player deciding to stay put at Wanda Metropolitano.
He has remained a regular in Diego Simeone’s side since, making 19 appearances across all competitions this season, scoring two goals and delivering two assists along the way.
The Belgian is back training with the club following Belgium’s disappointing early World Cup exit from Qatar. However, he is unhappy after the contract talks to extend his deal in the Spanish capital broke down following their humiliating Champions League exit, and the report adds that he will be 30 next year and is “facing the last big contract of his career.”
He could be set to leave Atletico Madrid, with his future at the club up in the air. The winger has under 18 months remaining on his current terms, so Atletico may look to cash in on him now rather than lose the value of their prized asset.
Should they look to sell, there will be several clubs interested in the winger, with cash-rich Premier League side Newcastle United credited with having a long-standing interest in Carrasco, who has a release clause of €60 million but could be available for much less than that.
Newcastle can capitalise on Carrasco’s contract situation during the next transfer window, and they should be all over it. A cut-price fee for a star who is elite on his day would bolster the squad no end. Operating primarily as an inverted left midfielder with the ability with both feet, Carrasco could quite simply become Newcastle United’s chief creator from the left.
He would also bring a wealth of experience to St James’ Park, having won La Liga with Atletico Madrid, as has Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier, and the Europa League, as well as reaching the Champions League final in 2016.
Signing a player of Carrasco’s calibre and pedigree would definitely boost their chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League table and potentially challenging for the title. Eddie Howe’s side are third in the league table at the moment with 30 points from 15 matches.
It is yet to be seen whether the Magpies will make another bid for Carrasco, but the report from Spain says the Belgian would be “more in the affirmative” if they do indeed still want to bring him to St James’ Park.
