Manchester United have reportedly had a bid for Alvaro Morata rejected.
United are in the market for a centre-forward, and are understood to have ended their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann because Jose Mourinho wants a number nine rather than a number 10.
They have since been linked with a number of strikers, including Romelu Lukaku, Andrea Belotti and Morata. All three are goalscorers, and fully capable of leading the United frontline.
According to Sky Italia, the club have made a move for Morata, seemingly making him Mourinho’s number one transfer target. United are said to have bid £52.4m (€60m) for the Spanish striker. However, Madrid want £78m (€89m) for him.
Morata wasn’t first choice for Zinedine Zidane’s side last season, but was a valuable squad member, scoring 20 goals in 43 appearances as they clinched the league title and retained the Champions League.
The 24-year-old came through the ranks at Madrid, and left for Juventus in 2014. But the La Liga side retained a buy back clause on the striker, and he returned to the Bernabeu last summer for €30m.
Morata was given his debut by Mourinho back in 2010. According to Sky, David de Gea, who is reportedly a transfer target for Madrid, wasn’t included in United’s offer for Morata.
If Madrid value the striker at almost £80, the fee for De Gea could be astronomical.
