Three-time Italian Serie A champions Juvenuts F.C. have completed the signing of Álvaro Morata from Real Madrid for €20 million.
The Spain youth international, 21, scored nine goals in 34 appearances across all competitions for the European champions last season, impressing but — at the same time — falling behind Jesé Rodríguez in manager Carlo Ancelotti’s pecking order.
Included in the aforementioned deal is a buy-back clause which would allow Los Blancos to re-buy Morata for a fee of up to €30 million in 2016 or 2017.
“I’ve wanted to come to Juventus for a long time,” Morata told the club’s official website, Juventus.com.
“The club has always shown plenty of interest in me and I’m happy to be here. I want to work hard for the best Italian team. Serie A is a tough league, one of the most important in the world, but I feel ready to tackle it.”
Morata, who will wear the No. 9 shirt for Juve in 2014/15, has already spoken to newly-appointed manager Massimiliano Allegri and cannot wait to kick-start his career in Turin.
The 21-year-old added: “I’ve already spoken to Allegri and I’m itching to get started on the training ground.
“It’s going to be magnificent to be able to play with the world class talents in this team and the competition for places is something that will push me to demand even more of myself.
“I know there’s the possibility to return to Real, but for now I just want to get my head down, enjoy this experience and contribute to new successes.”
Prior to signing with the Bianconeri, Morata had been courted by Arsenal and VfL Wolfsburg.
Now then, in other news, Real Madrid have allowed midfielder Casemiro to join F.C. on a season-long loan deal.
Following a loan spell at the Bernabéu, Casemiro, 22, joined the Spanish giants from São Paulo on a permanent deal in June 2013 for €6 million.
The 22-year-old Brazilian spent the majority of last season on the sidelines following the big-money arrival of Asier Illarramendi and the return of Xabi Alonso’s form.
Casemiro made just four starts, but 25 total appearances, for Real Madrid last season.
Vlaar ‘an option’ for Southampton
Southampton boss Ronald Koeman has admitted that Holland centre-back Ron Vlaar would be “an option” if Dejan Lovren leaves St Mary’s this summer.
Lovren, a Croatia international, has been heavily linked with Liverpool and has already claimed his head was on Merseyside in an attempt to force through a big-money move to the club.
“Ron would definitely be an option,” Koeman told Fox Sports. “But I think he won’t be cheap right now. Let’s just wait and see.”
Vlaar, who made 32 English Premier League starts for Aston Villa last term, was one of the defenders of the tournament at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
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