Tottenham interest in summer target resurfaces as fresh development means star is available for cut price

Tottenham have been handed a significant boost in their pursuit of Yannick Carrasco as the winger has been transfer listed by Atletico Madrid.

Carrasco was a target for Spurs throughout the summer, but no agreement could be made. Atletico Madrid were reluctant to let the Belgian star leave and so Spurs didn’t get their man.

The 29-year-old has been a useful player for Atletico over the years. Since re-joining the club in 2020, Carrasco has made 96 appearances and scored 15 goals.

Given his versatility and robustness, Carrasco fits the bill of an Antonio Conte-type player. The Belgian international can operate as a traditional winger or as a wing-back.

Spurs were said to have been tempted by his £51million release clause in the summer, but Diego Simeone was keen to keep him around.

Last season Carrasco chipped in with 12 goal contributions and started in 28 league matches. This season he has featured in 11 of Atletico’s 12 La Liga fixtures.

Ivan Perisic and Ryan Sessegnon have shared the responsibility for Spurs on the left-hand side this season. Djed Spence was also signed as a wing-back on the opposite side, but he hasn’t had much game time so far.

As a result of Atletico Madrid’s developing situation, Spurs could take advantage and swoop back in for Carrasco.

Carrasco has been transfer listed

Following Atletico Madrid being dumped out of the Champions League, they must now sell off some of their saleable assets in order to generate funds.

Simeone’s side finished bottom of Group B, in what proved to be a bitterly disappointing campaign. Their failure in Europe now means that they will lose out on vital income. As a result they will need to sell some of their prized assets in order to rebalance the books.

According to Cadena Ser, Carrasco has been one of four Atletico players that have been put on the market. The other players in question are Joao Felix, Thomas Lemar and Rodrigo De Paul.

Atletico are now unlikely to receive anywhere near Carrasco’s release clause of £51million and will be forced to accept a cut price.

Daniel Levy has proven to be a shrewd negotiator and this could perfectly play into his hands. Carrasco would add serious depth and quality to the wide areas for Spurs.

Atletico Madrid are in an awkward position 

When Group B was drawn in the Champions League, not may people would have predicted Atletico to have finished last.

The finances around the club already seemed stretched and that was before they crashed out of Europe.

In the summer transfer window, they only paid transfer fees for two players. Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino were both signed for a combined fee of around £20million.

Diego Simeone’s long-term future at the club has also been cast into doubt. The Argentine manager is closing in on 600 games managed for Atletico and has been at the club since 2011.

They currently sit third in La Liga and will now be weighing up their finances.

READ MORE: Man Utd handed huge boost in pursuit of £113m star as wantaway striker is placed on transfer list