Too bad, Chelsea.
Real Madrid and Spanish national team striker Alvaro Morata has revealed he was close to joining Chelsea this summer in a $78 million deal.
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Morata, 23, returned to Real Madrid from Juventus as the Spanish giants activated the $33.4 million buy-back clause they inserted in the deal when Morata left them for Juve in 2014.
The Real academy product played for Antonio Conte at Juventues and Chelsea’s new Italian manager was obviously a big fan of Morata who scored 23 goals in 91 appearances for the four-time reigning Serie A champs.
In an interview with German newspaper Sport Bild, Morata revealed the details about a potential move to England.
“Chelsea showed the most interest,” Morata said. “Antonio Conte had already signed me for Juventus and it was a very good offer this time. I would have been the most expensive Spanish player ever. They offered roughly 70 million Euros, but Real Madrid said they had me in their plans and that was always my dream.”
So, in essence, Real could’ve made $43 million on the deal by bringing Morata and then selling him on to Chelsea. Instead, they decided to keep the promising Spaniard.
Morata has scored twice in his first five La Liga games at Real and although he has Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, James Rodriguez and Cristiano Ronaldo to compete with you, you get the sense Zinedine Zidane will give him plenty of chances to start games this season.
If Morata once again reverts to being a sub behind Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema at the Santiago Bernabeu then it is clear Chelsea, and Conte, has his number on speed dial.
A penny for your thoughts, Diego Costa…
