With the summer transfer rumour mill in full spin, Newcastle United have already been linked with a host of names.
One of those names is Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco, who has recently been named by Spanish outlet Diario AS as someone Newcastle are said to be tracking. With Premier League safety secured and Newcastle keen to build on their strong 2022 form, the Magpies are rumoured to be interested in the 28-year-old.
Diario AS report Eddie Howe's side is closely following Carrasco, seeking at least €50m (£42.9m) for the Belgian.
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Carrasco's arrival would see him reunite with former team-mate Kieran Trippier, who joined Newcastle in January. Undoubtedly, he would improve Newcastle massively on the pitch and would be a real statement of intent.
Trippier is not the only member of Newcastle's squad who also boasts a prior relationship with Carrasco either. Magpies coach Graeme Jones previously worked with the winger during his time as Roberto Martinez's assistant with Belgium.
Carrasco has been a pivotal part of Diego Simeone's squad in recent seasons. Originally signed for Atletico back in 2015, the winger helped them reach the Champions League final in 2016. He even scored an equaliser against arch rivals Real Madrid in the final which Atletico went on to lose.
In January 2018, he left Atletico to move to China where he crossed paths with former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez at Dalian Professional. However, in January 2020, he returned on loan to the Wanda Metropolitano and Atletico, making his move permanent in September of that year.
While Carrasco is primarily a winger, he has been trusted all over the pitch by Simeone at Atletico Madrid. Over the last two seasons, he has featured on either flank, as a striker and as an attacking midfielder. He has even featured as an auxiliary left wing-back, sometimes operating opposite Trippier on the right flank.
And an interview with Simeone from back in 2017 shows just what type of player Newcastle would be getting if they signed the Belgian this summer.
"He has pace, he is good in one-on-one situations and can shoot from distance," said Simeone. "So, obviously he has scored more goals this season. I hope he continues this run of form. We need that. He is a player who is really important for us."
