Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco, who currently plays for Chinese club Dalian Yifang has dropped the biggest hint that he will move back to Europe in this summer’s transfer window. The winger revealed that there was interest from several clubs in Europe in the January transfer window, including Arsenal, but the move did not materialise as the club did not want to sell him, but revealed that a move could happen in the summer.
“There was interest from Arsenal and I had a lot of teams in January giving me the chance to go back to Europe, but here the president said it was difficult to go then. Maybe this summer it is possible. If it is a good thing and I want to go, maybe I can speak with the president,” said Carrasco about his links with the Premier League side.
Carrasco moved to the cash-rich Chinese Super League in 2018 from Atletico Madrid, along with teammate Nicolas Gaitan, for €30 million. The Belgian scored 7 times for the Chinese side in the season, playing either on the left-hand side or behind the striker as a second striker. Before moving to Atletico Madrid in 2015, Carrasco starred for French club Monaco which had earned him a €20 million move to the Spanish side.
The Belgian has also been an integral part of the national team, making 31 appearances since debuting in 2015.
Does a move for Carrasco make sense for Arsenal?
Arsenal do not currently have wide players of the quality that Carrasco possesses. Unai Emery has mostly started Alex Iwobi on the left side of attack, while striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also played there.
With Danny Welbeck leaving – who gave Emery the option of another striker who can cut into central areas, and Aaron Ramsey no longer available to get the goals from midfield, Arsenal need a player like Carrasco who can make things happen from wide areas.
The Belgian has fantastic close control and can dribble past defenders with ease while his pace can be a lethal weapon during counter attacks too. His trickery, technique and strong finishing could bring Arsenal many goals, and he’s the perfect player for a team like Arsenal especially with the experience he already possesses having played at the very top during his time in the La Liga.