United are hoping to tempt Real Madrid’s Morata to Old Trafford.
Despite Arsenal having been heavily linked for some time, Manchester United are now the club looking most likely to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, according to the Daily Star.
Juventus are also among those keeping tabs on the 21-year-old, who has been told by Madrid that he can leave the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu stadium in the summer.
Los Merengues would prefer to keep hold of Morata, with options upfront fairly limited at the club, but with the Spaniard’s current deal expiring in 2015 they are left with little choice if they want to make any money on the forward.
The product of the Madrid youth system has grown frustrated in the Spanish capital due to a lack of opportunities under head coach Carlo Ancelotti this term and feels he needs to leave the club to further his career.
There was much expected of Morata when he helped guide the Spain under-21 international team to European glory in 2013, top-scoring at the tournament.
However, since then the attacker has found game time limited at the Bernabeu and has started just three matches all season – making 21 appearances in total and scoring three goals.
This statistic doesn’t look that impressive compared to what Morata has done with the under-21s, having netted 13 times in just 12 caps to date.
The Gunners showed interest when it became apparent that their strike force was too weak, with Olivier Giroud the only available striker seemingly with Champions League credentials.
Yet having failed to make a bid for Morata in the January transfer window the north Londoners now face being out-priced for the Spaniard, who’s value has rocketed since the interest of Juve and United.
Red Devils boss David Moyes is keen to begin an overhaul of the squad at Old Trafford this summer, with a disappointing first campaign in charge after succeeding Sir Alex Ferguson.
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Javier Hernadez is likely to be sold as the Mexican has become frustrated at a lack of game time, whilst Robin van Persie has also been heavily linked with a move away – with Arsene Wenger, La Bianconeri, AS Monaco and Chelsea all reported by the Mirror to be interested.
With more financial firepower then their London rivals, United are likely to win if a bidding war starts for Morata.
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