Arsenal are reportedly facing fresh competition from AC Milan in pursuit of Yannick Ferreira Carrasco, who is eager to return to Europe this month.
According to a report by Daily Mirror, Arsenal are no longer alone in the race to sign Yannick Carrasco. AC Milan are plotting a late loan move for the Belgian attacker, who is eager to return to Europe in the ongoing transfer window, and has been courted by a number of clubs this month.
Carrasco left everyone stunned when he called time on his stint at Atletico Madrid in favour of joining Dalian Yifang. While the departure from Wanda Metropolitano was on the cards for several months owing to his fractious relationship with Diego Simeone, the decision to make his way to Chinese Super League while still not past his peak is what caused the surprise.
Nevertheless, the player seems to have settled well at Dalian Yifang, having amassed 7 goals and 9 assists in 26 appearances. But, if reports all through January are something to go by, the Belgian international is keen on returning to Europe. And, his willingness to make his way back to Europe has piqued the interest of Arsenal.
The Gunners have been linked with wingers all through the January transfer window, with the lack of one being perhaps the only chink in their attacking armoury. To that end, Arsenal have been linked with a number of possible candidates to solve their woes in the wide areas, with Carrasco being the priority.
Interest in the 25-year-old had been confirmed as well recently by Carrasco’s wife Noemie Happart, who said that clubs from Germany, England, Spain and Italy were keen on the player without specifically naming Arsenal. One of the clubs from Italy though, has now emerged, with AC Milan providing stiff competition to the North Londoners.
As per the report, the Rossoneri have enquired Dalian Yifang over the possibility of signing Carrasco on a loan deal. Arsenal too, have been in contact with the Chinese Super League club in addition to holding talks with the player’s representatives, with a temporary transfer their only avenue of signing players this month.
Dalian would prefer selling the player outright this month, and are hoping to recoup £35 million in exchange for his services. But, it looks like the Chinese club will have to be content with letting the player leave on loan this month before selling him permanently in the summer.
It now remains to be seen if Arsenal can complete their second loan deal of the window, as Unai Emery was hoping, with a move for Denis Suarez being imminent. AC Milan though, will hope to scupper their plans, and an interesting head-to-head battle is set for the deadline day.
