According to reports, Manchester United have been close to signing Alvaro Morata for the last three weeks.
For a number of reasons – ranging from Morata’s high-profile wedding day in Venice to Cristiano Ronaldo contemplating his future – the deal is yet to be completed.
Real Madrid’s valuation of the player is also said to be one of the factors that has delayed the striker’s move to Manchester. However, according to a fresh report from Spain, the European champions have given United three reasons as to why they expect to receive a fee of somewhere between £70m and £80m for Morata.
With discussions for the 24-year-old said to have recommenced in recent days, AS claim that Real have underlined the fact that Morata is now a regular starter for his national side, something which they feel partly justifies the transfer fee they are asking for. On top of this, they have pointed to the fact that at just 24, Morata could prove to be a United striker for years to come.
Finally, AS also claim that Real have also highlighted that United don’t exactly have that many alternatives, especially with Romelu Lukaku seeming certain to rejoin Chelsea in the days ahead.
Morata began his career at Real Madrid, returning to the club last summer after a two-year spell at Juventus. Although his appearances have been limited last season, he still managed to post a decent return of goals. Averaging a goal every 94 minutes, his conversion rate was also better than any of United’s attacking players – including top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
