Alvaro Morata seemed as a certainty to join Manchester United, as we have reportedly made a £56 million offer for the striker. Morata recently came back from his honeymoon earlier than scheduled, and it was seen as a sign that United were moving closer towards a deal.
Sky Sports reports a conversation on a local radio (El Primer Palo) in which Real Madrid president Florentino Perez confirmed that his club are NOT in any negotiations with the Red Devils. This is contrary to the rumours about the Spanish club demanding around £70 million– an increase of £14 million over the initial offer made by United – for the forward. Perez said:
“I believe we are not negotiating with Manchester United, which does not mean that there are not people around him who are talking, which is normal. I have read that we have reached an agreement for I don’t know how many million Euros, but it is not true.”
Perez has been maintaining throughout the last few months that Morata has not been subjected to transfer interest, but the player is understood to be keen on a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu in order to secure regular first-team football. Morata has often been the ‘super sub’ under Zinedine Zidane, and it is a surprise considering the striker’s impressive goal return to the time he has spent on the pitch.
Morata has emerged as the top transfer target for United after failing to sign Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid. Last season, Morata scored 15 league goals in just under 1,350 minutes of action. In comparison, Ibrahimovic scored 17 goals in 2,400 minutes of action. Morata would be an ideal signing for United as he is a player capable of leading the line on his own – a system often favoured by manager Jose Mourinho.
Morata’s agent Juanma Lopez has been talking about the player’s departure from Madrid. However, Perez is thought to be concerned about Cristiano Ronaldo’s future and this seems to be delay any potential deal for Morata, as the club do not want to lose two high-profile centre forwards in a summer.
James Rodriguez is the other forward to be linked with a move away from Real Madrid.
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