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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

The reason Rafa Benitez could hold the key to Arsenal and Unai Emery's summer transfer plans

Rafa Benitez is back in management.

Just a couple of days after officially leaving Newcastle United it has been confirmed that the ex-Liverpool and Chelsea boss is the new manager of Chinese Super League outfit Dalian Yifang.

And the Spaniard is looking forward to the next chapter in his career.

"After a long path, we start a new challenge! I´m happy to begin this new project with Dalian Yifang," he tweeted.

On a reported wage of £12million-a-year, Benitez will be tasked of bringing success to the club and is appointed with the side sitting 10th in the Chinese Super League table after 15 games of the season.

One of his first decisions as manager could affect Arsenal.

Dalian Yifang is where Yannick Carrasco has been plying his trade since leaving Atletico Madrid and Europe over a year ago, but he's been linked with a £27m summer transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

At one stage it seemed a move was merely a formality, but events over the past few weeks have placed a potential transfer in serious doubt and there's been a back and forth between the player and club.

Carrasco hit out at Dalian Yifang chiefs for their 'incomprehensible' attitude after suspending him following his absence from the league clash against Hebei China Fortune F.C.

And despite rumours of bringing in Ajax's Dusan Tadic as a potential replacement, claims that Carrasco broke a promise to the club could prevent him for getting his wish of returning to Europe this summer.

So it could be that Benitez has a big decision to make now that he's been confirmed as Dalian Yifang boss, meaning he could hold the keys to Arsenal and Unai Emery signing one of their wide forward targets.

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