The new man on the Arsenal transfer shortlist list is Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, who is currently on loan at Juventus. The Gunners are said to be closing in on the Spaniard for a summer move, according to reports in Spain.
The clock is ticking down as the summer transfer window fast approaches. Some clubs have begun preparing their multi-million bids for international stars while others have already finalised a few deals. However, the North London side appear to be in limbo as they seem to be registering an interest in a new striker almost every other day.
The former Chelsea man just finished a rather underwhelming season at Juventus, scoring just 9 goals and assisting 7 times in 35 Serie A games (stats via Transfermarkt), averaging a goal every 256 minutes (a goal approximately every 3 games in other words).
The 29-year-old is in his second year of loan with the Bianconeri, having joined them at the beginning of the 19/20 season. Morata has been plying his trade in the topmost echelons of European football since the beginning of his career, having previously played at Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, and Atletico Madrid. The striker is nearing yet another top move as the Gunners have come looking.
According to the Spanish outlet SPORT (via Football London), Arsenal are close to signing Alvaro Morata this summer. The report states that the North London side have submitted a €30million (£26million) offer for the Spanish international and are very close to securing his services.
The Gunners could be well on their way to signing the former Chelsea striker. SPORT outlines how Juventus are reluctant to spend the £25 million it would take to complete a permanent move for the 29-year-old from Atletico Madrid and this could open up the way for Arsenal to swoop in.
🚨 Álvaro Morata is ‘very close’ to signing for Arsenal for a fee of around €30m.
(Source: @Sport) pic.twitter.com/r8SWb6X2F7
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 26, 2022
Arteta was in dire straits as his side looked to lose out on the only two senior forwards in the squad – Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah. But, Arsenal seem to have convinced Nketiah to extend his stay at the Emirates. Still, Arteta needs an established striker who could reliably lead the frontline week-in and week-out.
Edu and co. have been trying to get Man City star, Gabriel Jesus, on board for their project next year. However, the lack of Champions League football and the interest from Tottenham, who qualified for the premier football competition, are causing difficulty in the deal going through. Therefore, Morata has emerged as another option for Mikel Arteta to solve his frontline woes as the Jesus deal still hangs in the balance.
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While this move can be seen as a contrast to the trend of signing up-and-coming youngsters at the Emirates, a marquee signing might just be what the Gunners need. Despite his struggles last season, the Spaniard remains a top striker in the prime of his career, having turned 29 last October.
With Nketiah signing a new contract, all Arsenal need is a talented and experienced forward like Alvaro Morata. It will be an absolute game-changer for Arteta if he can pull off this transfer. He will also be able to tick off at least one item off his transfer window checklist.
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