Newcastle make Atlético midfielder priority target for summer transfer

Newcastle United have made the signing of Atlético de Madrid midfielder Yannick Carrasco a priority in the summer, according to reports.

They, alongside Tottenham Hotspur, tried to sign him in January but Atlético were uninterested in discussions for a player who has been very vital to their season. Reports from Spain now suggest that the 2020/21 LaLiga Santander champions could be open to discussions in the summer, and Newcastle have been alerted to the development.

Carrasco joined Atlético in 2015 before moving on to China to play for Chinese Super League club Dalian Yifang in 2018, where he spent the next two years. He returned in 2020 to help Atlético win the LaLiga trophy after seven years.

In that time, he has played 218 times for the club and contributed to 76 goals (37 goals and 39 assists). While he is not exactly a crowd favourite, he is a player who the fans hold in high regard because he leaves everything on the pitch whenever he is selected to play.

He has scored a number of important goals this season too, reinforcing manager Diego Simeone's trust in him. But with Atlético rethinking their strategy ahead of the summer, he could be sacrificed in favour of their plans.

GOAL reports that Newcastle considers the 28-year-old midfielder their 'greatest summer goal' and are willing to match Atlético's asking price for his signing - Carrasco's release clause of €60 million - to bring him to St. James' Park.

The Belgian will be joining former teammate Kieran Trippier at Newcastle if he makes the switch in the summer, which will help his adaptation to the Premier League and the city life a lot smoother. Carrasco also knows Newcastle's assistant manager Graeme Jones, as both of them worked together while Jones was one of the coaching staff of the Belgian national team.

Newcastle close to Henderson deal

Elsewhere, the Magpies are close to wrapping up a deal for Manchester United backup Dean Henderson.

The 25-year-old goalkeeper is Premier League proven, having played for Sheffield United in their most recent two seasons in the league before they got relegated again.

He was supposed to move on as game time at Man United was unlikely because of David de Gea's presence in the squad. A talk with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his personal conviction to try and challenge the former Spain number 1 led to him staying, and now he wants out.

Newcastle are ready to provide him with the playing time he needs but will have to negotiate with United to agree on a different price than the £40 million tag they placed on the England international.

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