Juventus striker Alvaro Morata. (Photo : Getty Images)
English Premier League squad Arsenal FC is set to snag Alvaro Morata as the Juventus striker's agent is already in talks with La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid of a possible sale this summer.
The Sun indicated that the 23-year-old Spanish striker is "keen on joining Arsenal if he ends up re-signing for Real Madrid" in the summer after "helping Juventus land their fifth successive Serie A title" in the recently concluded term.
Morata was signed to a two-year deal by the Turin residents in the summer of 2014 after they paid Los Blancos a hefty £15 million transfer fee for the young forward. However, the contract came with a buyback clause that allows the Madrid squad the opportunity to purchase him back in the future.
Real is said to be intending to exercise the said clause this summer, but to sell him for a profit and not to keep him. With that, the Madrid native, who was given a five-year extension by Juve in December of last year, is reportedly being targeted by Arsene Wenger's club, Arsenal.
Wenger had allegedly been a long-time fan of Morata and he wants him to strengthen the Gunners' front scoring next term after the 66-year-old head coach's first choice strikers in his current roster did not perform up to his expectations this season.
Meanwhile, Caught Offside indicated that the Gunners are "closer than ever" to snagging the £46m-rated player as Morata's agent, Juanma Lopez, had already flown to the Spanish capital city on Monday to talk with Real's senior team officials.
Los Vikingos is said to be prepared to trigger the £25 million buyback clause in Morata's deal and sell him to Arsenal for £46 million, which would be a quick £21 million profit for the Bernabéu giants.
In two seasons with the Old Lady, Morata scored a total of 27 goals in 93 appearances in all competitions for the five straight Scudetto winners. Before that, he played two seasons with his hometown squad, netting 11 times in 52 games.
Morata began his senior career with Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team and Segunda Division representatives. He suited up for RM Castilla for three seasons, from 2010 to 2013, scoring 45 goals in 83 games, before he was promoted to the first team in December of 2010.
