According to a report from the Daily Mail, West Ham have been offered the chance to sign Dalian Yifang attacker Yannick Carrasco this month.
The Belgian, 26, left Atletico Madrid for the Chinese side in February 2018.
The Daily Mail claims that the Hammers have been offered the chance to sign Carrasco, and Crystal Palace are interested in the 41-capped international too, although his £180,000 per week wages could prove to be a stumbling block.
Despite the fact that he is only 26, the winger, who can play anywhere along the front-line, is an experienced customer, with a combined 279 league appearances for three different clubs to his name already.
One to avoid for West Ham, however
Carrasco has racked up decent numbers during his time in China, with 24 goals and 17 assists in 52 games for Dalian Yifang (Transfermarkt).
Those stats are deceiving, however, considering the poor standard of football in the Chinese league.
The 26-year-old’s time in Europe provides us with a better reflection on his true ability. In a combined 227 games for Monaco and Atletico Madrid, Carrasco managed just 43 goals and 41 assists.
That really is not good enough for someone who would reportedly cost so much in wages.
Attacker not a priority
West Ham could certainly do with another pacy option in attack. There are other positions in more urgent need of attention, however.
Between now and the end of the season, the Hammers need players who are going to roll their sleeves up, get stuck in and show 100 per cent commitment. And it is debatable whether Carrasco would provide them with that.
The Belgian has caused plenty of problems during his short spell in China already.
Dalian Yifang manager Cui Kangxi spoke angrily back in the summer of the attacker’s desire to leave China, as quoted by the Express:
“Carrasco will definitely not be playing tomorrow, and there may be no future matches. It is difficult for me to understand and I am very angry. Before making this decision, I had a three-day dialogue with Carrasco. I try to convince them and understand that they can co-operate, but he keeps asking the team to produce a written document for him to ensure that he can return to Europe in winter. It’s not an obligation for the team.”
Carrasco also has a history of reacting angrily to being substituted, as relayed here by Marca.
In short, this is one that West Ham should avoid. The 26-year-old would be simply too much of an expensive risk for a club who are staring relegation in the face.
The Hammers need more fight and commitment. And they won’t get that with Carrasco.
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