£26m star ready to snub Man Utd to join Arsenal after Gunners make contact over deal

The January transfer window is open and managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Yannick Carrasco is linked with Arsenal and Man Utd…

Yannick Carrasco favours a move to Arsenal over Manchester United and the Gunners have already made contact over a potential move this month, according to reports emanating from Italy.

Carrasco came through the youth ranks at Genk but made his name during impressive spells at Monaco and Atletico Madrid before making a shock move to Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang last winter.

The 25-year-old has scored 7 goals in his 25 appearances over the past year but he’s already agitating for a move back to Europe and the Belgian international has seemingly attracted interest from the Premier League.

The Metro are one of several outlets citing Sky Italia as reporting that Arsenal and Man Utd have registered their interest in signing Carrasco while AC Milan were also keen but have been put off by his hefty wage demands.

Arsenal are in the market for a wide attacker after losing Danny Welbeck for the rest of the season with a broken ankle while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is also on the sidelines with a fractured foot and it seems Carrasco has emerged as a potential target for Unai Emery.

Man Utd are also being tipped to strengthen their options this month as they look to back caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer in the transfer market and Carrasco is also being considered by the Old Trafford club.

However, Sky Italia, via the Metro, claim that Carrasco favours a move to Arsenal while The Sun also carry a similar report that suggests the Gunners have already made contact over a deal and the winger has given his ‘approval’ to the proposed move.

Sky Sports news reporter Dharmesh Sheth also spoke of Arsenal’s interest in Carrasco during his transfer update today. He’s quoted as saying by The Sun:

“Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco could be a fit for Emery. Sky in Italy are reporting Arsenal are interested.”

“Carrasco is currently at Chinese club Dalian Yifang having played for Monaco and Atletico Madrid.”

The claims appear to have been made by a Sky Italia journalist on TV with an audio clip posted online but it remains to be seen whether Arsenal will manage to get a deal agreed for Carrasco’s signature.

The Metro claim his current club Dalian Yifang will want to recoup the £26.5m they paid for Carrasco a year ago but we’ll have to wait and see if the Gunners are willing to pay that kind of money for the exciting winger.