Newcastle transfers: Crafty Eddie Howe ‘ready to tempt’ quality 99-goal winger as Barcelona let option lapse
Yannick Carrasco of Atletico Madrid is a target for Newcastle
Newcastle United are reportedly exploring a deal to sign Atletico Madrid star Yannick Carrasco with the Belgian winger now unlikely to move across Spain to Barcelona.
The Magpies are back in the Champions League for the first time since the halcyon days of Sir Bobby Robson. The intervening years have proved tough at times for Newcastle, but under Eddie Howe, there is a growing momentum on Tyneside. Now the club are going places again and seen as carrying real appeal to would-be transfer targets.
Newcastle have managed to get one deal over the line early this summer in the €7m capture of Yankuba Minteh from Odense. He will be loaned straight out to Feyenoord though, with his move to go officially go through on July 1.
Billed as one for the future, Newcastle have high hopes over the exciting Gambian teenage forward.
However, it is new players in the here and now who Newcastle still need to sign. To that end, Howe is looking to make a number of smart deals across the park, with only really the striker position in no need of reinforcing.
In truth, the Magpies would benefit from more Champions League experience. As a result, the club has found itself linked with a move for Belgium winger Carrasco.
The 29-year-old has a wealth of experience after playing for Atletico in seven of the last eight seasons. In the middle of that, the Belgian was lured to China to play for Dalian Professional.
However, after failing to settle he quickly returned to his former club, where he has since taken his number of appearances for the Rojoblancos to 247 appearances.
Barcelona decision gives Newcastle transfer green light for Carrasco
Among that tally, Carrasco has made 45 appearances in the Champions League – providing the type of experience Howe and Co would very much benefit from.
Now, according to reports in Spain, a decision on Carrasco’s future is coming to a head.
Indeed, Barcelona still retain a clause that gives them first refusal to sign the 66-times capped Belgian.
That was secured as part of the deal that took Memphis Depay to the Wanda Metropolitano back in January. However, Barcelona are yet to take up their option on Carrasco. That is curently set at a modest €19m (£16.4m).
Per Mundo Deportivo, that clause is due to lapse at the end of this month. And if Barcelona fail to trigger it before the weekend, that will ensure his registration with Atletico remains.
However, with just a year left on his deal at Atleti, the Spanish giants are very much open to moving the winger on.
They are reportedly open to letting him leave for a fee similar to that arranged with Barcelona. And Mundo Deportivo suggests Toon boss Howe is keeping a close eye on developments.
And they suggest Howe, alongside sporting director Dan Ashworth, are ‘ready to tempt’ Atletico with a firm approach.
The player is capable of playing off either wing so would offer Howe’s side huge versatility. And given the type of fee involved, would certainly prove an astute addition for Newcastle.
Carrasco also has a very obvious eye for goal and his record of 99 career goals in 450 appearances is a very tidy record. Could he reach the century as a Newcastle player? Time will tell…
