ZCZC
BSP-15
FBL-ASIA-CHN-CARRASCO-BEL-DALIAN
‘Lonely’ Carrasco can leave if he’s unhappy: Chinese club
SHANGHAI, April 18, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Belgium winger Yannick Carrasco can
end his turbulent spell in China this year if he is desperately unhappy, his
club said, in comments which will alert top European sides including Arsenal
and AC Milan. The 25-year-old was strongly linked with a move away from
Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang during the winter transfer window.
Mooted moves to Arsenal and AC Milan failed to materialise and Carrasco,
who joined Dalian from Atletico Madrid in February last year for a reported
10.5 million euros, stayed put.
But Dalian’s general manager Zhou Jun opened the door to his departure,
telling the Dalian City News: “He has a contract with the club and cannot
just leave when he wants.
“But if Carrasco finally decides to go back to Europe, then we will try to
find a good way for both sides to solve the problem.
“If there is any difficulty, let’s see whose difficulty is bigger. If it’s
harder for the club, I believe Carrasco will stay.
“If it’s harder for Carrasco, both the club and fans will understand him
(leaving this summer).”
Zhou added that Dalian had also chased Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson
Cavani and Atletico’s Diego Costa.
Carrasco has been one of the star performers in Chinese football for the
past 14 months and has clocked up three goals and one assist in five matches
this season.
But he has been consistently linked with a move back to Europe and in
November apologised after a training-ground scuffle that left team-mate Jin
Pengxiang needing hospital treatment.
Carrasco, who featured for Belgium at the World Cup and has 35 caps for
his country, has struggled to settle in China, said Zhou.
“His wife stayed with him last season, but this term, he sees her only
occasionally,” said Zhou.
“In this respect, Carrasco needs to endure loneliness.”
BSS/AFP/MSY/1244 hrs