- Carrasco and Gaitan join Dalian Yifang, Atletico Madrid confirm
- Pair leave Spanish capital for undisclosed fee, but report claims £26m Carrasco exit
- Arsenal had been linked with move for the Belgian international this summer
- READ MORE: Barcelona in advanced talks to seal £87million transfer, could be good news for Arsenal
Atletico Madrid have confirmed the double departure of talented duo Yannick Carrasco and Nico Gaitan, with the pair joining Dalian Yifang.
While the Spanish giants haven’t disclosed the fees involved, The Mirror report that Carrasco will cost around £26m, while he’ll earn a whopping £8.8m-a-year.
In turn, that’s an indication as to why the pair have chosen to move to China at this stage of their respective careers. For Gaitan, 30, the move arguably makes a little more sense as he’ll want to cash in and secure a lucrative contract as he nears the end of his career, but fans haven’t responded well to Carrasco’s decision.
The Belgian international, 24, made 123 appearances to Atleti after joining them from Monaco in 2015, scoring 23 goals and establishing himself as a top talent.
However, in truth, both players have struggled for prominent roles under Diego Simeone this season, but their destination upon leaving the Spanish capital seems to have shocked and disappointed many, as seen in the comments below on Twitter.
Mundo Deportivo reported at the end of the January transfer window that Arsenal could make a €50m this summer for Carrasco, but that no longer looks to be an option as he has chosen a lucrative move to the Far East over possibly playing in the Premier League.
It remains to be seen what impact it has on their careers, while Simeone has become much lighter now in terms of squad depth with his side still chasing La Liga and Europa League glory this season.
In contrast, it could be argued both may simply be prioritising their families and getting the best deal for themselves at this moment in time. At just 24, Carrasco perhaps still has the chance to make big money in China and return to Europe in a few years time.
.@CarrascoY21 and @nicogaitan will join Dalian Yifang on a permanent deal.
Best of luck in China!
? https://t.co/M9mmraDNKM
? https://t.co/PVytuVRpcp pic.twitter.com/cWOCoGzY8s— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 26, 2018
What a waste of talent
— Its Blxine (@ItsBlxine) February 26, 2018
loool carrasco’s career is done
— Jere ???? (@HxdsonOdoi) February 26, 2018
WTF why carrasco?!?! hes too good for the chinese league!
— Charl (@ItzCharl) February 26, 2018
Carrasco just wasted his career
— Johan ?? (@ClassyDembele) February 26, 2018
OHHHH WHY @CarrascoY21
— IG: ellie_grams (@erosbietweets) February 26, 2018
Fucking hell Carrasco you fucking wasted your career
— ???? ?? (@EdenRole) February 26, 2018
What a waste
— alex (@lfcalexx) February 26, 2018
Pathetic decision. Torres turned down China to stay in Spain, even at 33 years old. What a waste of his career, he was good as well.
— Taha (@theofficialtaha) February 26, 2018
What a waste
— Shane Boyd (@boydothewise) February 26, 2018
Carrasco? WTF?!
— gÜngdalaputrapetir (@agungbakarmanis) February 26, 2018
What a waste of talent
— ? (@MagicalDybala) February 26, 2018