Bad news, Chelsea! Carrasco keen to extend Atletico stay

The highly-rated attacker has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but he insists he intends to remain in Spain

Yannick Ferreira Carrasco has dampened rumours of a transfer to Chelsea by insisting he wants to stay at Atletico Madrid.

The Belgium international, who joined from Monaco in July 2015, has established himself as a key component of Diego Simeone’s side and scored his first goal of the season to give Atletico a 1-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich last month.

Reports in England have suggested Chelsea are keen to strike a deal to sign the 23-year-old, who is understood to have a release clause of close to €40 million in his contract.

But Carrasco, whose deal expires in three and a half years, claimed he has no interest in offers from elsewhere and wants to prolong his stay with the Vicente Calderon.

“I’m already here until 2020 and hopefully I can be here longer,” he told gathered media at the club’s shop. “I’m really happy at Atleti.

“I’ve been really well received at the club. When I score goals and when I play well, the fans chant my name, and I hope that continues.

“I work to be a starter and it’s the boss who has to choose. We’re looking at things game by game and we work hard.”