According to a recent report by Sky Italia, as stated by Sky Sports, Arsenal have emerged as the favourites to secure the services of Yannick Carrasco from Dalian Yifang during this ongoing winter transfer period. The same report also claims that the Belgian international is eager to make a switch to North London. However, the Gunners would face stiff competition from the likes of Manchester United and AC Milan in pursuit of the Chinese Super League sensation this month.
The Belgian wide man enjoyed an excellent campaign last year when he featured in 25 league matches in the Chinese top-flight, scoring seven times while providing nine assists. However, the situation has changed for him recently. Now some of the top European clubs are interested in acquiring his services so he would be foolish to stay in China and not grasp the elusive opportunity of playing football at the highest level in Europe.
Carrasco needs to play in Europe if he wants to keep his place in Roberto Martinez’s Belgium national squad. The 25-year-old built his reputation during his spell at Atletico Madrid where he tasted success in the UEFA Europa League under the masterful guidance of Diego Simeone.
However, he decided to move to China last year which has seen his career go a bit off track. Hence it makes a lot of sense for the Ixelles born winger to fancy a move back to familiar surroundings during this January transfer window.
When he is playing with confidence, Carrasco can be a match-winner due to his blistering pace and his exceptional ability to dribble with the ball out in the wide areas. The Dalian Yifang star is also very versatile and can operate anywhere across the frontline, although, he primarily features as a left-sided winger.
The addition of someone of Carrasco’s quality will undoubtedly bolster Unai Emery’s attacking options at the Emirates Stadium. With Mesut Ozil failing to fire on all cylinders this season coupled with the fact that Arsenal does not have any naturally gifted wingers in their squad except for Alex Iwobi, Carrasco would be a smart acquisition for Emery if he can somehow pull off a deal to bring him to the Emirates this month.
However, one could also argue that the Gunners should rather concentrate on signing a world-class defender which is a more immediate need at the moment.
