London: Chelsea have opened talks over a move for Juventus’s Spain international striker Alvaro Morata, following Arsenal’s bid for Jamie Vardy.
Morata and Romelu Lukaku are Chelsea’s top striker targets this summer and talks are now taking place regarding the Spaniard. Any deal for Morata is complicated by the fact Real Madrid want to activate his £23m (Dh95.9 million) buy-back clause before selling him on for a profit. But Chelsea want to make positive steps towards finding an agreement for Morata, who Real value at around pounds 40 million, before the 23-year-old plays in the European Championship.
Morata is with the Spain squad, but that should not provide Chelsea with a problem before Vicente del Bosque’s men begin their tournament campaign against Czech Republic on Monday. Chelsea also remain interested in re-signing Lukaku, but any bid for the Belgian has been delayed by Everton’s search for a new manager.
Lukaku wants to rejoin Chelsea, but has also attracted interest from Paris St Germain, Real Madrid and United. It is not inconceivable that Chelsea will attempt to sign both Morata and Lukaku, with Alexandre Pato and Loic Remy poised to leave, and Atletico Madrid interested in re-signing Diego Costa.
Incoming Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte made Morata and Lukaku his two top targets at Juventus two years ago before leaving to manage Italy. Juve signed Morata over Lukaku, who moved to Everton, and he has scored 27 goals in two seasons in Italy.
Conte is a big fan of his pace, energy and work-rate, and is understood to believe Morata could play through the middle on his own or as part of a front two. Chelsea had feared they would face strong competition for Morata from Arsenal and Manchester United. But Arsenal instead decided to trigger the pounds 20 million release clause in Vardy’s Leicester City contract, while United are closing in on Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Morata has expressed an interest in moving to the Premier League and would like greater clarity over his future before the start of Euro 2016.
He said: “Hopefully, everything will be resolved before then, because it is uncomfortable to be helping your country with phone in hand. My wish is to succeed in Madrid, but Madrid have great players and what I want is to play and feel important.
“There are some offers from England that are tempting, not only because of the contract. I think my characteristics mean the Premier League would be a great destination. “With what I have learnt in Italy, if I have the chance to learn something more in England I think it would make me a more complete player. I am 23 years old and I want to progress, to play and learn from the best.”
Morata would have no problem settling in at Chelsea, who already have Spanish internationals Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro and Cesar Azpilicueta in their squad. Conte does not start work until after the Euros, but that has not stopped the club making a start on trying to sign his transfer targets.
Chelsea have also been in negotiations with Roma over midfielder Radja Nainggolan and defenders Antonio Rudiger and Kostas Manolas, and hope to make significant progress over at least one deal this week.
One player who is unlikely to move to Roma as part of any ideal is Charly Musonda. The teenager is believed to have turned down the prospect of spending next season on loan in Italy and wants to return to Real Betis.
