CHELSEA SNAP UP REAL STAR MORATA
CHELSEA say they have agreed to pay a club record £58million for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, in a deal which could eventually reach £70.6m.
The Spain forward, 24, was due to leave Los Angeles last night, where he has been with his Madrid team-mates, and head for London to sign a fiveyear contract worth around £155,000 a week.
Chelsea insist the initial fee is closer to £58m but potential add- ons are likely to take the final figure beyond £70m, and eclipse the £50m they paid Liverpool for Fernando Torres in 2011. It also makes Morata the most expensive Spanish footballer ever. Chelsea made their breakthrough yesterday after announcing manager Antonio Conte had signed his new two-year contract, and they confirmed the agreement with Real Madrid on their website. Conte wanted to sign Morata last summer but the opted to switch targets in January to concentrate on Romelu Lukaku. But the Belgian’ s decision to join Manchester United brought Morata back into sharp focus. AC Milan had made enquiries too but Morata was always set on linking up with Conte again. He said last night: ‘I’m going to the team managed by the coach who has placed the most faith in me.’
Morata scored 20 goals in all competitions last season even though his opportunities were limited with Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema starting in the main striking roles.
He has been training alone in California away from the main Madrid group. Initially, he had not intended to travel to the US, as he was expecting to join United prior to them gazumping Chelsea on Lukaku, but fate has found him another route to the Premier League.
Chelsea had weighed up alternatives such as Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre- Emerick Aubameyang and Andrea Belotti at Torino but Morata was always first choice once Lukaku opted for Old Trafford.
Chelsea want to add three more, with Juve left-back Alex Sandro still a target. The Italians are reluctant to sell but admire Chelsea’s unsettled midfielder Nemanja Matic. The Serb would prefer to join Manchester United but will consider Juventus if they offer a longer-term deal.