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After a pair of successful seasons in Italy with Juventus, Spanish striker Alvaro Morata is set to return to Real Madrid this summer.
“Real Madrid C. F. have informed Juventus FC of their decision to salvage the federative rights on the player Álvaro Morata, who will join up with the first team for pre-season training under the command of Zinedine Zidane,” read a statement on Real Madrid’s official website Tuesday.
Juventus’ general manager Beppe Marotta also confirmed the deal.
"Real Madrid are going to exercise their right to buy him (Morata) back. We're just waiting for them to get in touch, and then we'll see, but the chance of him staying is slim." Marotta said.
The 23-year-old will return to Real Madrid in form to show he’s capable of battling for a starting spot in Zidane’s team.
Although Morata might have the skill to earn that place, he’ll have to prove to Zidane that he can produce more than an in-form Karin Benzema, who scored 28 goals in 36 matches this past season.
However, rumor has it that Madrid’s plan is not to buy Morata and keep him, but to buy him through the £23.6 million buy-back clause and then sell him to the highest bidder. And two of the biggest candidates to fill that role in the early stages of this transfer novella are Arsenal and Chelsea.
Back in March, the Daily Mail reported that Madrid would be looking for a fee around £40 million to make the deal worthwhile. This Tuesday, however, the speculation was that there are clubs willing to unload as much as £50 million to secure Morata’s services.
That number might still rise as Morata plays through the Euro Cup with the Spanish national team. Morata is currently Spain’s top scorer in the tournament with two goals in two matches.
The Spanish striker would be a welcome addition to either Arsenal or Chelsea.
The Gunners have been on the prowl for a new striker this summer, having reportedly already made moves to attempt to acquire Leicester’s prolific goal-scorer Jamie Vardy.
Arsene Wenger has also been eyeing Everton’s striker Romelo Lukaku, according to The Express. Lukaku is another player whose market value could considerably climb in this year’s Euro Cup.
The Belgium forward is tied with Morata in the scorer’s ranking with two goals, one shy of Gareth Bale, who leads the tournament with three goals.
