Chelsea Steal March On Arsenal & Man Utd With Failed £51m Striker Bid

The summer transfer window is now open so we’ll bring you all the latest transfer rumours and gossip from around the globe. Today, Chelsea make their opening offer for Alvaro Morata…

Chelsea have stolen a march on Arsenal and Manchester United by tabling an opening £51m offer for Alvaro Morata but Real Madrid are holding out for nearer £64m, according to Marca.

Morata’s future has been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks after Madrid activated a £23m buyback clause that was written in to the deal that saw him join Juventus two years ago.

The media has speculated over whether Morata would stay and fight for his place at the Bernabeu or find another club but the general consensus appears to be he’ll be sold for a huge profit this summer.

The 23-year-old has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League with Marca reporting last week that Chelsea had edged in to pole position ahead of Arsenal and Manchester United in the race for his signature.

It seems the Blues have now cemented their position as favourites as the Spanish daily newspaper claims today that Chelsea have now formalised their interest after testing Madrid’s resolve with a £51m (€60m) offer following talks with his agent.

It’s reported that Antonio Conte is desperate to be reunited with Morata having been the man to sign him for Juventus in 2014 and he’s now persuaded Roman Abramovich to sign-off a club record bid for the Spanish international – who’s understood to be intrigued by the prospect of playing in England.

However, the west Londoners are going to have to dig a little deeper as Marca suggest that with Arsenal and United also keen, Madrid are holding out for a fee nearer £64m (€75m) for the strikers signature and they are in no desperate rush to sell.

It remains to be seen whether Chelsea will be prepared to increase their offer or if Arsenal and United will now be forced to step-up their interest with rivals bids, but it appears the Morata saga is finally edging towards a conclusion.

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Arsene Wenger is in the market for another striker but I have my doubts as to whether the Frenchman will pay the kind of money it’s going to require to land Morata while United seem to be focussing their attention right now on signing Paul Pogba.

That leaves Chelsea in pole position for Morata’s signature but the Blues are going to need to increase their opening offer if they are to successfully lure the striker to Stamford Bridge this summer.