- Ali
REAL MADRID STRIKER, ALVARO MORATA reveals that Chelsea were going to sign him this summer but he decided to return back to the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Spaniard disclosed that the Blues had made an offer of £60 million to land him at the Stamford Bridge. The 23-year-old would have become the most expensive Spanish footballer had the deal gone through. However, the present record of the most expensive Spanish footballer is for Fernando Torres who joined the Stamford Bridge outfit from Liverpool back in January 5 years ago.
The possible transfer could have seen the Spanish striker reunite with his former head coach, who became Chelsea’s manager after serving Italy as manager in the recently concluded Euro 2016 tournament.
Despite Chelsea’s serious interest, the Real Madrid academy player decided to return to his old club in a £23 million switch, after Los Merengues activated their buy-back clause to seal the services of the young striker.
However, the 23-year-old returned to former club Real in a £23m move after Los Blancos triggered the release clause inserted into his contract upon moving to the Turin-based outfit.
Morata spoke to Sport Bild: “Chelsea showed the most interest. Antonio Conte had already signed me for Juventus.
“And it was a very good offer this time. I would have been the most expensive Spanish player ever.
“(But) Real said that they have me in their plans. and that was always a dream of mine.”
During the summer, reports in Spain also suggested that Real might sell the striker after buying him back from the Torino club. Eventually, the Spanish capital decided against selling the 23-year-old once again.
And with the faith kept in him by Madrid thinktank, Morata has started to repay them, with scoring a 95th minute winner in Real Madrid’s first UCL game this campaign against Sporting CP.
The Spaniard, who scored 7 goals in 2016 for the Spanish team, has also expressed that Robert Lewandowski is one footballer he has looked up to in an attempt to develop his game.
Morata further added:
“Lewandowski is the best striker there is, also because of his technique despite his height.”
“I try to learn a lot by watching him. I don’t miss a match when he’s playing, and I try to learn from his movements.”