Arsenal: The Yannick Carrasco reward is salivating

Yannick Carrasco has stated that he would like to return to Europe, with Arsenal rumoured as a possible target. The reward of a successful move is a salivating prospect.

Arsenal need a winger. Not just that, though, they need a very traditional type of winger, someone with speed, skill, excellent dribbling ability, an eye for goal and creative quality also. There are not that many players who satisfy all of those demands.

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And so, when looking for one of these players, you do have to be a little picky and willing to spend. They do not exactly grow on trees.

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One such potential solution to the wide positions is Belgian international Yannick Carrasco. The 25-year-old moved to Chinese club Dalian Yifang 18 months ago, but this week, admitted that there is an offer on the table for him to leave and that he would like to return to Europe:

"“There is now an offer on the table and the negotiations with my agent are progressing well. I am the most important player in the club, but I hope the chairman understands me. From a family point of view, I would rather play in Europe and stay closer to my family. The adjustment for my family was also difficult over there. I have become a lot more mature and have learned a lot. Also on the field, where I had to take my responsibility and the team had to bear. But my wish now is to return.”"

Arsenal have previously been interested in Carrasco and are rumoured to be a possible landing spot this time around.

I am a little tentative to say that this would be a good signing for the Gunners. Yes, Carrasco is one of the few players that satisfies many of the demands for the modern winger position, but questions surrounding his attitude concern me greatly. This is a risky move, make no mistake about it.

Nevertheless, the reward for this signing, should it come off as it could, is absolutely salivating. It was not that long ago that Carrasco was seen as one of the brightest talents in European football. He was playing regularly for Atletico Madrid, breaking into the Belgian national team, and on a world-class trajectory. Then he fell out with Diego Simeone and upped sticks to China.

But the talent still presides, and if Arsenal can eek it out, for a reported fee in the region of £25-35 million, Carrasco very quickly becomes an absolute steal. The problem is that is a big ‘if’. There is absolutely no guarantee that Carrasco is even willing to work towards his potential.

Nevertheless, the high-end possibilities for this kind of move are absolutely mouthwatering. And so, while I am a little cautious about Arsenal making a big bid for Carrasco, I cannot deny those who are excited for it either.