Barcelona will sign Atletico Madrid winger in the summer, decision already made

According to SPORT, Barcelona are certain to sign Atletico Madrid winger Yannick Carrasco in the summer, after securing a purchase option for the Belgian during talks for Memphis Depay’s sale.

The Catalans were initially pushing to sign the 29-year-old in a potential swap deal involving Depay, but Atletico Madrid did not agree to such an arrangement.

Eventually, the Dutchman joined the Rojiblancos in a deal worth €4 million, including add-ons. As part of the operation, though, Barcelona confirmed that they had secured an option to sign Carrasco on a permanent transfer at a later date.

Reports in Spanish media have claimed that the Catalans could do so for a fee of around €15-20 million.

And, now SPORT is claiming that Barcelona have already decided that they will take up that option and sign Carrasco in June. To that end, they have already conveyed the same to the winger’s environment, expressing confidence about his arrival in the summer.

It is claimed that everyone within the club see the operation as a good one as they believe the Belgian international can add value to the team, with the 29-year-old receiving a green light from both sporting and economic perspectives.

The coaching staff sees Carrasco as someone who can open up play in the final third and possesses good technical abilities – qualities that Xavi appreciates in his wingers. It is further stated that the club have good reports on him both personally and professionally.

In addition to that, the report states that Carrasco’s wages will not be an issue for the Blaugrana either, with the Belgian willing to accept a low salary that fits into the club’s plans.

The winger is keen on making the jump to Barça and was willing to push for an exit in January itself. However, he will now have to wait until the summer to move to Camp Nou, with the Catalan giants reportedly certain to sign him in June.

This move could indicate that Xavi is ready to make some changes to his attacking unit which has not performed at its best this season. Apart from Robert Lewandowski, and to an extent Ousmane Dembele, none of the other forwards have been consistent enough.

And Barcelona could look to cash in one of them, in order to make room for Carrasco’s signing.