Atletico Madrid are preparing a bid for Juventus striker Alvaro Morata this summer.
Morata is also heavily linked with a move to the Premier League with Arsenal and Chelsea reportedly interested to sign the 23-year-old, but now it appears that the Gunners have pulled out of the race to sign him amid reports that the North-London club are on the verge of signing Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy.
The Spanish International has established himself as one of one of the finest strikers in the world, netting 10 goals and providing 12 assists this campaign to play a key role to help Juventus win back-to-back league and cup doubles.
Atletico Madrid are keen to sign a centre-forward this summer and have identified Diego Costa, Edinson Cavani and Gonzalo Higuain as their primary targets but Morata is said to be heading their transfer wish list.
The La Liga giants’ are under severe pressure to make the proposed signings materialize in an attempt to keep hold of their charismatic coach Diego Simeone following the Argentine’s claim that he is considering his future at the club after their second Champions League final defeat in three years into the hands of local rivals Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid remain favorites to re-sign Morata since the Los Blancos reportedly have a €30 million buy-back option, although it remains unclear whether the striker will agree to return to the Bernabeu after failing to establish himself as a regular starter, falling behind Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale in the pecking order.
The Madrid-born striker started his career at Atletico Madrid’s youth system before moving to Real Madrid and making his way into the first team at Los Blancos.
Given the competition for his signature, Atletico are aware that they will be forced to spend big to bring Morata back to the Vicente Calderon this summer.
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