'Deal Done' for Alvaro Morata as Chelsea Close in on €70m Real Madrid Outcast
Chelsea appear to have secured the signing of former Manchester United target Alvaro Morata, according to reports in the UK.
Sky Sports has alleged (via Gianluca Di Marzio's Twitter account) that the Real Madrid striker is set to move to Stamford Bridge after a "deal was done" between the two clubs.
Morata had been on United's radar before they swooped for Romelu Lukaku in a £75m deal from Everton - Chelsea's reported primary target this summer - but now seems ready to join Antonio Conte's squad if the rumours prove to be correct.
Reports in Spain on Wednesday morning hinted that Los Blancos were holding out for a €70m offer from the Premier League champions for their misfit and, whilst no fee has yet been disclosed with regards to this deal, the chances are that Chelsea have either matched that figure or are in the ballpark area of it.
AC Mian were also thought to be in the hunt for Morata's signature as they continue to spend huge amounts of cash on bolstering their own squad in Italy, but Chelsea are the firm favourites to land the ex-Juventus star instead.
Morata only rejoined Real from I Bianconeri last summer in a reported £25.5m move, but he struggled for regular starts and minutes under Zinedine Zidane at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With the likes of Karin Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo preferred in attack, the 24-year-old has been linked with transfers away for much of the season, and now seems set on plying his trade in England’s top tier.
MURCIA, SPAIN - JUNE 07: Alvaro Morata of Spain competes for the ball with Cristian Zapata of Colombia during a friendly match between Spain and Colombia at La Nueva Condomina stadium on June 7, 2017 in Murcia, Spain. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
David Ramos/GettyImages
Chelsea boss Conte is keen to add striking reinforcements to his squad with the futures of Diego Costa and Loic Remy increasingly uncertain.
Tamm Abraham, too, has been sent out on a season-long loan to Swansea City – a decision that only leaves Michy Batshuayi as a senior forward at the club – and the acquisition of Morata would certainly be a coup for Chelsea if they truly have secured his services.
