21-year-old Yannick Ferreira Carrasco has completed a move to Atletico Madrid, the Spanish club have confirmed.
Atletico confirmed the deal on Friday evening, citing a £14million transfer fee. It came after a week of speculation, during which the Belgian was linked with several other big clubs. Carrasco has signed a five-year contract after he passed a medical earlier on the same day.
Turan replacement instantly found, maybe more?
Following the sale of Turkish attacking midfielder Arda Turan to Barcelona for almost £30 million on Monday, this move for the Belgian is a clear signal of intent by Diego Simeone and the Atleti hierarchy to replace him, and others, with a more youthful brand of player.
Carrasco is also filling the void left by Mario Mandzukic, who left the Madrid club for Juventus after only one year - during which he consistently struggled with injuries. There are also rumours that Antoine Griezmann is a target for some of Europe's biggest clubs, and hence Carrasco will find himself higher up the pecking order than he may have previously imagined.
A big impact on the big stage
Last season the forward made his way into Marc Wilmots senior Belgium team as he scored six goals in Ligue 1. Carrasco helped Monaco reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League as they defeated Premier League side Arsenal in the process. His performances in Europe's top competition were particularly impressive, scoring and assisting in the process - whilst creating almost a chance a game on average.
Monaco finished 3rd last season in Ligue 1, however they have already sold Geoffrey Kondogbia, released Dimitar Berbatov, loaned out Valere Germain and Delvin Ndinga. While it seems team-mate Aymen Abdennour will be the next following Ferreira Carrasco and departing Stade Louis II, with Atletico also holding discussions with the Tunisian central defender, according to Sky sources.
This deal is the Madrid club's second major transfer in a matter of days, following the big money signing of Luciano Vietto from Villarreal.