Atletico Madrid are weighing up approaching Borussia Dortmund for Thorgan Hazard this summer, as they eye replacements for Newcastle United transfer target Yannick Carrasco.
That’s according to Foot Mercato, who note the Colchoneros are following Hazard closely as the Belgian faces an uncertain future. Diego Simeone’s La Liga outfit have appreciated the 28-year-old’s profile for years and could finally look to swoop as BVB want to cash in.
Dortmund are preparing for a fire sale at the Westfalenstadion at the end of a frustrating season under Marco Rose. While they remain in Bundesliga contention, the North Rhine-Westphalia side crashed out of the DFB-Pokal, the Champions League and Europa League.
Second-tier St Pauli beat BVB in the German cup last 16 in January, having already fallen out of the Champions League in the group stage. Rangers then beat Rose’s side 6-4 in the Europa League knockout round play-offs on aggregate, after winning 4-2 away from Ibrox.
So, Borussia Dortmund intend to clear house and start fresh this summer with 11 stars set to leave, per Bild. Those listed for transfers include £22.5m Hazard, Emre Can, Nico Schulz, Julian Brandt, Roman Burki and Marius Wolf. BVB may also hear offers for Manuel Akanji.
Atletico eye BVB ace Thorgan Hazard to replace Newcastle target Yannick Carrasco
Atletico Madrid will continue to monitor Hazard’s situation at Borussia Dortmund and may move for his transfer should Carrasco depart, with the Belgian sought after at Newcastle.
The Toon attempted to seal Carrasco’s arrival at St James’ Park in January and considered triggering his release clause, per Foot Mercato. A deal failed to materialise, however. Yet Goal report the Colchoneros expect the Magpies to revive their interest in the next sales.
Newcastle would again need to trigger Carrasco’s €60m (£50.5m) release clause to seal a transfer from Atletico Madrid. Even though the 28-year-old – who Simeone praises for his ‘incredible dribbling’ – now has just 15-months left on his Wanda Metropolitano contract.
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