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Transfers
Are Chelsea set to hijack Manchester United’s pursuit of Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata?
had suggested that Spanish forward Alvaro Morata had agreed to join Manchester United, with the player having signed a £350,000-per-week contract before Real Madrid and the Red Devils had agreed a fee. However, this looks to have changed as Chelsea look to swoop in on the deal and steal the 24-year-old away from Old Trafford, according to latest reports in the .
Speaking to in April, Morata admitted he had a connection with Antonio Conte and that he would want to work with him again. The Spaniard said: “Conte is the manager who most ‘bet’ on me, without even ever having had me in his team. I’m very conscious of that: he bet on me for Juventus but left before I arrived; then he wanted me at Chelsea come what may. He knows me better than I could imagine, I’m sure, and that’s important: it motivates you to work hard, train well.”
A move to the Blues would make a great deal of sense for both player and club. Diego Costa, Chelsea’s main man up front this season, looks set for an exit as Antonio Conte has labelled him surplus to requirements, as suggested in the ‘s report.
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Chelsea are in need of a forward and Morata could be that man to fill the void. A potent goal-scorer, having netted 15 times for Madrid this season, despite starting just 14 games, the Spaniard is unhappy with his game-time at Los Blancos an could find himself as the main man up top in Conte’s side.
Of course, Morata and Conte had a successful period together at Juventus, and the forward seems intent on reuniting with the Italian and this could happen with a move to Stamford Bridge.
The 24-year-old’s desire to work with Conte, which would indicate a move to the London side, comes as a real blow to Manchester United, who saw Morata as a solution to their problems up-top.
United have been attempting to negotiate a £183 million deal for both Morata and Cristiano Ronaldo, as reported by Italian newspaper Tuttosport, referenced by and the , but this seems to have only distracted the Red Devils, allowing Chelsea to gain an advantage in the race for the Spanish youngster.
The two clubs are set to clash once again in the transfer window and it will be very interesting to see who comes out on top.
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