Arsenal have expressed interest in signing Atletico Madrid attacker Yannick Carrasco and have made an enquiry about his availability, according to the Express.
The departures of Mikel Arteta, Mathieu Flamini and Tomas Rosicky have created a void in the midfield.
While the capture the capture of Granit Xhaka is to strengthen the defence, Arsene Wenger is planning to add an attacking midfielder to that department to balance the ratio.
Arsenal have also been heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan but with the German club reluctant to release their playmaker, the Premier League may have to look elsewhere.
Mkhitaryan may have to see out his current contract, which expires at the end of next season after reportedly rejecting a contract extension with Dortmund.
According to Italian journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, the Emirates outfits have made the first move by enquiring about Carrasco.
Arsenal asked Atletico Madrid to be allowed to make a bid for Carrasco. Atletico available to listen. About €20/25mln
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) May 30, 2016
He also stated that the Los Rojiblancos is already lining up Lazio’s Antonio Candreva as a potential replacement for Carrasco. If Carrasco does leave Atletico Madrid, he will be replaced by Candreva from Lazio.
If Carrasco leave Atletico Madrid, he will be replaced by Candreva from Lazio.
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) May 30, 2016
The Belgian international moved to the Spanish club from French side AS Monaco in a £15 million deal last summer and has impressed in his debut season for Diego Simeone’s side.
He scored the equalizer in the 1-1 draw with Real Madrid-which could be his last game for Atletico- in the Champion League final on Saturday before losing on penalties.
The 22-year-old terrorized Arsenal’s defence in the 2014-15 Champions League quarterfinal match against his former club Monaco, scoring in the 3-1 defeat of the English club at the Emirates stadium.
He has since then caught the attention of Wenger who attempted to sign him last summer before he moved to Spain. The Gunners boss could land the winger this summer following the report that Atletico are “ready to listen.”
He netted five goals and the same number of assists in all competitions, especially finding the net in the UEFA Champions League final to force the game to extra time.
The 22-year-old superstar is a talented player. However he has little reason to leave Atletico, though, and it seems likely he’d prefer to stay and continue his development under Simeone.
Still, he’s a talented player. He has little reason to leave Atletico, though, and it seems likely he’d prefer to stay and continue his development under manager (Diego Pablo Simeone González) popularly known as Diego Simeone .
