Yannick Carrasco is reported to have edged closer to a return to Atlético Madrid, with widespread reports on Thursday night claiming he has landed in the Spanish capital ahead of a deadline day switch.
Carrasco first joined the club from Monaco in 2015, and made quite the impression with 40 goal involvements in 124 games before a move to China in 2018 - somewhat sensational considering he was just 24 at the time.
He carried his form over to the Far East, scoring 24 goals in 52 appearances for Dalian Yifang in the Chinese Super League, and as such there has been plenty talk over a move back to Europe for the Belgian.
Arsenal and Manchester United have been linked infrequently, while Crystal Palace were reported earlier this week to have entered talks with Rafa Benitez's current club over an audacious move for the winger.
It seems, however, as though the pull of his former club has proved too strong. The news was first broken by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, who tweeted on Thursday night that the 'comeback is now ready'.
Yannick Ferreira Carrasco to Atlético Madrid, here we go! The comeback of the Belgian is now ready. #transfers #Atleti
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2020
That's a stance backed up by reports in Spain too, with Diario AS reporting shortly after that while there were still a few finer details to be negotiated between the two clubs, the player had landed in Madrid and would undergo a medical imminently.
His arrival isn't expected to change Atléti's stance on positional rival Thomas Lemar, with whom Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham were heavily linked before the club put paid to any speculation by announcing that he will not leave mid-season.
It is perhaps understandable that they are keen to strengthen the squad rather than risk weakening it in their current state of affairs.
While not quite a disastrous season so far, they sit some way off the pace in the race for the La Liga title, their most recent draw with Leganés putting them ten points off leaders Real and seven from second-placed Barcelona.
Having exited the Copa del Rey at the hands of Cultural Leonesa earlier this month, Diego Simeone's future may hinge on a Champions League last 16 tie with Liverpool in February - although he will be hoping Carrasco's arrival can help lift things between now and then.
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Source : 90min