For at least a few hours, Cédric Carrasso remains a free agent. The French goalkeeper has travelled to Istanbul and is expected to sign for Galatasaray, to be the Turkish club’s second choice, but it could have all been very different.
Speaking to L’Equipe, Carrasso was asked about a failed moved to Scottish Premiership club Hearts, and was happy to openly talk about it: “Yes. I even visited the Heart of Midlothian facilities. I found it all great in Edinburgh. Except the salary. I was ready to cut my income by two. The problem is that the Heart money, for me, was finally used to pay debts. Upon arrival, it was very fair financially. Really. Around €4k per week.”
Carrasso also had the chance to join Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Arsenal and Sporting CP. In July it was reported in France that Sunderland were looking at Carrasso as a potential Jordan Pickford replacement, whilst Nottingham Forest wanted to add more competition.
The goalkeeper had previously spoken about rejecting Sunderland in 2016, not believing it was the right time, and seemingly thought similar in 2017.
Nottingham Forest had wanted to bring in competition for young Jordan Smith, and in the end signed Adam Federici.
It’s Carrasso’s failed move to Hearts which remains the most curious, but he’s surely happy to be in Istanbul and have a season with Galatasaray, even if it’s as a back-up.
