Arsenal
Premier League • England
Arsenal accelerate interest in experienced striker as Arteta looks to plug squad gap
Arsenal have “accelerated” their interest in Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, according to a report in Italy.
The 29-year-old forward is currently on loan at Juventus from Atletico. The former Chelsea striker has had a steady season for the Bianconeri, scoring 11 times in 44 appearances. But it’s unlikely that Juve will pursue a permanent deal after landing Dusan Vhalovic in January.
Juventus exercised their option to renew Morata’s loan from Atletico last summer. That loan cost them a further €10m after a €10m payment for the first loan spell. Now they can make the deal a permanent one for €35m, but Vhalovic’s arrival has narrowed that option.
Instead Morata looks destined to return to the Wanda Metropolitano and Diego Simeone’s side are seemingly looking elsewhere for a buyer.
That is where Arsenal come in. Both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah have their contracts expiring on June 30, with the latter almost certainly set to move on.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang also left earlier this year and Mikel Arteta is in for a busy summer window.
Gazzetta dello Sport have already claimed there has been interest from the Gunners in Morata.
Now Calciomercato claim Arsenal “accelerate” to sign the former Chelsea marksman. And they claim Juve are interested in Morata on a full-time contract, but want a discount after paying €20m in loan fees.
Morata discount?
Atlético are not ready to give Juve any discount to buy the player. And so the €30m that Arsenal are preparing looks a far better proposition for Atletico than Juve €15m offer.
Tutto Juve, via Sport Witness, state the Gunners are “the most likely bidder” to prevent Morata from continuing at Juventus. And that interest is being welcomed in the Spanish capital.
The idea of a return to London was given short shrift by Morata earlier this month.
La Stampa claimed Morata told Arsenal it was a ‘firm no’ over the move.
Whether Edu and Arteta sign the Spain international remains to be seen. It would definitely be a breakaway from Arsenal’s recent transfer policy.
The Gunners signed six first-teamers last summer and all were aged 23 or under.
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