Towards the end of the January transfer window, Newcastle were frantically running around like headless chickens trying to find players to give to their manager.
While they ultimately focused other targets in the end, there was one point where the Magpies targeted a well-known name: Yannick Carrasco.
The forward, currently at Atlético Madrid, wasn’t exactly someone the La Liga side were willing to part with, which is why Newcastle were immediately referred to the Belgium international’s release clause, which stands at €60m.
Newcastle were said to be ready to pay it at one point, but it appears the player himself wasn’t overly keen in leaving the comfort of his current situation, as he explained in an interview with RTBF over the weekend.
He said: “These days, I feel very, very good. I’m at home. I’m well integrated. I’m an important player whether it be on the pitch or in the dressing room.
“I’m already at a certain age too, but football, as they say, you never know how to plan or predict the future. A few clubs knocked on my door this winter, but I’m good at Atlético, so I wanted to continue my adventure here.”
While Carrasco never name drops Newcastle per se, it’s clear from the number of reports that he’s, most likely, referring to them, but with Atlético Madrid set up for a Champions League clash against Manchester United and in with a chance of qualifying for the European competition via the club’s league position, it’s understandable that he preferred to stay put, at least for the time being.
That being said, his words do leave a door open for a transfer down the line, which, at 28 years of age, he still has time to experience if he so wishes.
