Blues bag some Real firepower in Morata
Spanish ace reunited with Conte as clubs agree on $92 million deal
LONDON — Chelsea has reached an agreement to buy Spain international striker Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid for a reported $92 million, the clubs announced on Wednesday.
“Chelsea Football Club and Real Madrid have agreed to terms for the transfer of Alvaro Morata to Stamford Bridge,” the Blues said on their website.
“The move is now subject to him agreeing to personal terms and passing a medical.”
Madrid confirmed the deal in a brief statement on its website.
“The club wishes to express its thanks for the dedication, professionalism and exemplary conduct displayed by the player over the years, spanning his time in our academy right through to his spell as a member of the first-team squad,” the statement added.
Chelsea had reportedly tabled an $80 million bid for the 24-year-old last week but Madrid, according to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, managed to squeeze another $12 million out of the Premier League champion.
Morata is expected to leave Madrid’s training camp in the United States as soon as possible.
British media reported last week that Chelsea had offered Morata a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge worth around $195,000 a week.
Real exercised a buy-back clause to bring Morata back from Juventus a year ago, having joined the Italian club in 2014 just days after current Chelsea coach Antonio Conte left the Turin giant for west London.
Morata scored 20 goals in 43 appearances last season as Real retained its Champions League crown while edging Barcelona to the Spanish league title.
He had previously been linked with a move to Manchester United, but its interest ended after the signing of striker Romelu Lukaku from Everton.
The Spaniard told The Guardian in April that Blues boss Conte, who was instrumental in persuading him to sign for Juve, had boosted his confidence and that he was looking forward to working with the Italian one day.
“I feel indebted to him because he’s the coach that most trusted in me, most wanted me, who made me feel I could perform at the highest level,” Morata told the British newspaper.
Morata’s arrival could signal the end of his international teammate Diego Costa’s time at Chelsea, with the latter strongly tipped for a return to Atletico Madrid.
Costa was granted extra time off by the Blues and has missed the start of preseason training after the 28-year-old revealed in June he was not part of Conte’s plans.
The Brazil-born Spain striker is keen on rejoining Atletico despite it not being allowed to register new players until Jan 1 because of a transfer ban.
Szczesny seals deal
Meanwhile, Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny has completed a move from Arsenal to Juventus for an undisclosed fee, both clubs confirmed on Wednesday.
Having passed a medical in Turin, Szczesny put pen to paper on a four-year deal expected to be worth around $17.4 million.
Szczesny spent the past two seasons on loan at Juve’s Serie A title rival Roma, making 72 league appearances for the capital club.
He is expected to deputize this season for veteran Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, 39, but the chance to join Massimiliano Allegri’s Serie A champion still proved too tempting for Szczesny.
“I’m really happy to be here,” said the 27-year-old.
“I’ve already spoken to Gianluigi Buffon, a legend in our game, and I can learn a lot from him.
“I’m not feeling any pressure, I’m here to represent the club at the highest level. When you come to Juve, it’s because you’ve been chosen. I had no hesitation.
“In football there’s always room for improvement. I’m proud of the work I’ve done thus far and I’m ready for this new challenge — Juventus is the best choice for the next stage of my career.”
Szczesny joined Arsenal’s academy from Legia Warsaw in 2006 and went on to play 181 times for the Gunners, helping them to two FA Cup triumphs in the process. AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE