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Arsenal to rival Juventus for Atletico Madrid's Alvaro Morata?

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 20 February 2022

Arsenal to rival Juventus for Alvaro Morata?

Alvaro Morata reportedly has his eye on a move to Arsenal as Juventus attempt to negotiate his permanent signing from Atletico Madrid.

Arsenal could reportedly attempt to prevent Juventus from signing Alvaro Morata on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid.

The former Chelsea man was tipped to end his Bianconeri stint following the arrival of Dusan Vlahovic in January, but he is set to remain in Turin until at least the end of the season on loan.

Morata's Atletico future is unclear with his deal in Spain due to expire in 2023, but Juventus can trigger an option to buy the Spaniard for a second time from the La Liga champions this summer.

However, Tuttomercatoweb claims that Morata instead has his eye on a move to Arsenal, who will be in the market for a new frontman ahead of the 2022-23 season.

The Gunners are set to lose Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah on free transfers in under six months' time, leaving Folarin Balogun and Under-23s prospect Mika Biereth as Mikel Arteta's only two centre-forward options.

Juventus and Atletico are reported to have settled on a €35m (£29m) buy option following his 2020 arrival, but it has now been claimed that Juve will attempt to negotiate a €15m (£12.5m) deal with bonuses.

Morata has struck eight goals and provided six assists in 33 games for the Old Lady this term, taking his total tally for the club to 55 strikes and 36 assists in 170 games after his brief stint in Italy between 2014 and 2016.