Chelsea have agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Spain striker Alvaro Morata, the Premier League club have announced.
The 24-year-old, who helped Real to the Champions League title last season, is still to agree personal terms and pass a medical before the move is officially confirmed.
The Blues stepped up their bid for Morata after another potential transfer target, Romelu Lukaku, opted instead to join Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
We have agreed terms with Real Madrid for the transfer of Alvaro Morata…https://t.co/uuenBgcPH2
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 19, 2017
United had originally been favourites to land Morata, but turned to Lukaku after failing to come close enough to Real’s reported £75million asking price.
That left the way clear for Chelsea to step up their bid for the Spanish star, who played under Blues boss Antonio Conte at Juventus.
Despite making no secret of his desire to leave Real, Morata jetted out for the club’s pre-season tour to the US, from which he is now expected to return.
Morata played under Antonio Conte at Juventus (Mike Egerton/Empics)
He scored 15 league goals for the club last season but grew increasingly frustrated at his limited opportunities behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.
The deal will also be a timely boost for Conte who had endured frustration after failing to land either Lukaku or another potential signing, Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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