Spanish international striker Alvaro Morata is once again being linked with a big money summer move
I have to admit the old phrase about never going back fits Alvaro Morata’s current predicament at Real Madrid.
Last summer the Spanish international striker returned to his old club from Italian giants Juventus.
Morata’s current club had a buy-back clause inserted in the deal that had taken the striker to Juventus in the summer of 2014.
He was expected to be sold off last summer, with a host of clubs reportedly queuing up to acquire his services.
However, the striker decided that he wanted to stay in the Spanish capital and prove himself to the club that had sold him off. Unfortunately, that has not quite gone to plan.
Never regular as a first team starter in Madrid
Morata’s situation has changed very little since he re-joined Real last summer. It was clear that Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema were the team’s first choice attackers. When they are fit they are starting for Real, it’s as simple as that.
Morata has made 38 appearances in all competitions this season and scored 17 goals. However, many of those appearances have been due to injuries to the likes of Bale and Benzema.
The 24-year-old is a glorified reserve at Real Madrid and will unlikely to be anything else at the club from the Spanish capital. At most other clubs he would be considered a vital player, but the Spanish international is currently in the shadow of his high-profile attacking teammates.
No shortage of takers
According to the Daily Star, there will be no shortage of takers for the striker this summer, if the European champions decided to sell him. The Star reports that Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham are all interested in signing the highly rated star this summer.
However, the English clubs could have competition for the striker’s signature from Dortmund, former club Juventus and also AC Milan. Morata is reported to prefer a move to Chelsea than the other aforementioned clubs.
Chelsea, though, have been linked with a number of different transfer targets for this summer, including Everton’s Romelu Lukaku and Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez. Blues boss Antonio Conte definitely seems to have a very long and expensive shopping list that is for sure.
Morata is seen as almost the complete centre-forward, not just a goal scorer. He is quick, can hold up the ball and can bring teammates into the game. His all-around game is the reason that a number of top English clubs are chasing his signature this summer.
Real Madrid are still very much in need of Morata’s services for the rest of the season. Los Blancos are in a tight title fight with arch-rivals Barcelona, which they are odds of 4/9 to emerge from triumphant.
Real are also still in the Champions League, where they face a tough two-legged semi-final tie against city rivals Atletico Madrid. Morata is needed due to Gareth Bale’s struggles with injuries of late. Morata could fill the void left by the Welsh international.
Even that is uncertain, though, as the likes of Isco, James Rodriguez, Lucas Vasquez and Marco Asensio are also options for Zinedine Zidane.
Must move on this summer to develop
It seems to develop and play regular first team football Alvaro Morata will need to move clubs in the summer, as he just seems to be another bit player in Madrid.
Whether he would get that sort of playing time at any of the aforementioned clubs remains to be seen. However, rumour has it Morata is fed up with being unused and under-appreciated, so is looking to leave the Spanish capital this summer.
A fresh start at another club may just be what the striker needs to push on and move up to the next level. Could he develop at Real Madrid? It seems doubtful, as he will always be attempting to shake off his reputation as a squad player.
If Morata decides to move on this summer then it appears he will not have a lack of choice for his next destination. That would perfectly illustrate just how highly rated the striker is in the football world.
Where will Alvaro Morata be plying his trade next season?
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