Alvaro Morata move from Real Madrid to Manchester United edges closer

Jose Mourinho still sees Alvaro Morata as the man to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Manchester United intensify their pursuit of the Real Madrid forward, despite an £80m price tag.

The player is understood to be keen on a Premier League move and if United CEO Ed Woodward can negotiate a transfer fee with Real, our colleagues at Sky in Italy understand personal terms will not be a sticking point.

Reports in Spain say Morata’s agent Juanma Lopez held talks at the Bernabeu on Wednesday to try to negotiate the player’s departure.
Standing in the way is Real’s £80m demand for the player who scored 19 goals in 43 appearances last season.

His coach Zinedine Zidane wants the former Juventus striker to stay but the player is desperate for more game time, which the Frenchman can’t guarantee.

United have been in talks with the La Liga champions over Morata for several weeks and Sky in Italy reported on June 9 they had seen a £52.4m offer rejected with Madrid understood to be holding out for close to £78m.
Morata’s representative Juanma Lopez also revealed earlier this month that Real had rejected an offer from AC Milan.

Speaking about United’s movements to Italian online publication Calciomercato, Lopez said: „It’s a club with a lot charm – a very interesting option.

„I can say that there’s a very important offer and the decision now rests with Real. I cannot tell (if an agreement is close). We’ll see.“

Morata has emerged as United’s first-choice target for a new forward following the injury to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and their pursuit of Antoine Griezmann from Atletico Madrid ending because of the Spanish club’s transfer ban.