After buying Alvaro Morata back from Juventus a few weeks ago, Real Madrid were widely expected to sell the young Spaniard off to the highest bidder.
Morata has courted interest from the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United for his exploits with Juventus over the past two seasons and after Real Madrid decided to exercise their buy back clause to bring him back to the Santiago Bernabeu, they were expected to sell him off to potential suitors for a hefty profit. But it was reported earlier in the week that the Champions League winners had decided against selling the 23-year-old.
Now according to a report in AS, Los Blancos are set to offer Morata a brand new 5-year contract to keep him in Madrid. The report states that Real will offer Morata an annual wage package of €6 million after tax and social security. It is understood that the deal is imminent and is subject to a few minor details, one of which involves the option of extending the contract to a 6th year. The report further states that deal will go through even if president Florentino Perez is away, and Real Madrid’s transfer chief José Ángel Sánchez will preside over the proceedings.
Morata only scored 12 goals in 47 appearances for the Biaconeri in the previous campaign. After a debut season which showed a lot of potential for the future, he failed to live up the promise and saw himself lose out on the starting spot to Argentine maverick Paulo Dybala. His lackluster season with Juventus was followed up with a decent European Championship outing where he scored 3 goals for La Roja. However, his dismal season isn’t a reflection of his superb talent and a move back to his native Madrid may be exactly what he needs to get his career back on track.
Alvaro Arbeloa signs for AC Milan
It seems as if one Alvaro has been replaced with another at the Bernabeu. Alvaro Arbeloa has left Real Madrid and has reportedly signed with AC Milan. It was reported earlier this month that the Italian giants had targeted the veteran defender in a bid to bolster their defensive ranks and also provide able replacement in case Mattia Di Sciglio were to depart from the San Siro in the summer.
AS cite Sport Mediaset to say that the 33-year-old has signed a 1-year-deal with the Rossonerri with the option to extend it for another year. Arbeloa’s experience and versatility would be a welcome addition to Vincenzo Montella’s back four as they try to re-establish themselves as the footballing force they once were.
Since making his Real Madrid return in 2009 from Liverpool, he has gone on to make 233 appearances and has scored 6 goals for Los Blancos. He proved to be an important part of the Real Madrid defence but was never truly able to establish himself as a first team player. He helped them to 8 major trophies including 2 Champions League victories during his time at the Bernabeu. Last season however, the Spaniard only featured 9 times for Real in all competitions and fell out of favour with Rafa Benitez as well as Zinedine Zidane. At 33 years of age, a move to Milan to a be a part of a new era under Montella and the new owners is something that the veteran defender would relish. This also may be exactly the thing he needs to re-ignite his career in his final years as a professional footballer.
