Only a day after Real Madrid exercised their buy-back clause for Alvaro Morata, reports suggest that Premier League side Chelsea expect to lure the Spanish striker away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
In an official statement Real Madrid announced on Wednesday that striker Alvaro Morata would leave Juventus to re-join forces with the Los Blancos after his buy-back clause was invoked by the club. During his stint in Turin, the 23-year-old scored 15 goals in 63 league appearances.
The Spanish outfit did not give any confirmation about whether or not Morata would be a part of their plans for the upcoming 2016/17 season, sparking off additional rumours regarding his future. Rory Mardsen of Bleacher Report believes that Arsene Wenger was put off by his astoundong asking price of £58 million (via Gazzetta). Wenger who broke the bank for signing players like Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez has opted to go for someone low-key this summer.
According to 101 Great Goals, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has already begun negotiations with Real Madrid, and the Russian would be present for the remainder of Spain’s matches at the Euros, to keep an eye on his prime transfer target. The Blues are ready to invest big in the transfer market, and add a second forward as incoming boss Antonio Conte fancies a two-striker system.
It is also understood that the Blues are favourites to land the Spanish front-man after Arsenal gave up the chase. The 22-year-old is currently the tournament’s top scorer alongside Madrid attacker Gareth Bale at the Euros. Morata was also impressive in Juventus’ 2014/15 Champions League run-in, scoring five times en-route to the final.
Morata scored 5 goals in the Champions League knockout stages last season. Only Neymar managed more (7). #MUFCpic.twitter.com/lfJdDH4bJp
— Squawka Dave (@SquawkaDave) March 31, 2016
Could Morata be a perfect fit in Antonio Conte’s set-up?
The incoming Chelsea manager has used the 3-5-2 system perfectly with his previous sides, and by the looks of things, he would stick to the winning formula in the Premier League. Current striker Diego Costa ended the 2015/16 campaign as the Blues’ highest scorer with 12 goals. Despite the talent that he possesses, his attitude and in-game behaviour may not gel well with Conte, making it essential for him to rope in reinforcements.
A player of Morata’s calibre ticks all the boxes for the Italian manager. He has pace, an eye for goal, and doesn’t mind to put in a shift defensively. He has the ability to drift wide, and at times could even deputize as a support striker. However, given his steep valuation, Conte might think twice before making a bid for the prolific attacker.
