Manchester United 'meet with Atletico Madrid to discuss Alvaro Morata deal'

Manchester United have reportedly held discussions with Atletico Madrid over a possible deal for Alvaro Morata before the end of the summer transfer window.

Cristiano Ronaldo could now remain at Old Trafford this summer, while Anthony Martial is back at the club following a loan spell at Sevilla, but the Red Devils are short of options at centre-forward.

Martial was again injured against Brentford on Saturday, with Ronaldo playing through the middle in what proved to be a 4-0 defeat for the 20-time English champions.

Man United are widely expected to sign a new striker over the next couple of weeks, and according to The Athletic, a move for Morata is a genuine possibility.

The report claims that the Red Devils have already held discussions with Atletico, who have informed the Premier League club that the Spain international would cost in the region of £30m.

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The 29-year-old is back at Wanda Metropolitano following two years on loan at Juventus and could start Monday's La Liga contest with Getafe.

Morata netted 20 times in 44 appearances while on loan with the Old Lady in 2020-21, while he scored 12 goals in 48 outings in all competitions for the Italian side last term.

The striker has previously played in the Premier League for Chelsea, joining the London club in a big-money deal from Real Madrid in 2017, scoring 24 goals in 72 appearances in all competitions before moving on.

Morata helped Juventus win two Serie A titles and three Coppa Italia crowns during his time in Turin, while he lifted the FA Cup and Europa League during his time at Chelsea.

The forward has also netted 26 times in 56 appearances for Spain and is widely expected to be in the La Roja squad for the 2022 World Cup.

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Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi have also been linked with moves to Old Trafford to solve the club's centre-forward issues.

However, it has been reported that Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is reluctant to sign either player, with Morata now emerging as the leading option.

Man United have lost their opening two matches of the 2021-22 Premier League campaign to Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford to sit bottom of the table on zero points.

The Red Devils, who continue to chase Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, will be looking to bounce back when they welcome bitter rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford on August 22.