Manchester United have moved one step closer to signing Alvaro Morata after his agent confirmed that the Spaniard does not want another season on the bench.
The Spain international was largely a deputy to Karim Benzema last term after Real Madrid decided to activate the buy-back option to bring him back from Juventus.
Morata celebrated a Champions League and La Liga double with Los Blancos last season despite starting most of his games from the bench. He nevertheless managed 20 goals through the campaign, and he is now eyeing a fresh challenge elsewhere although it would be a crazy decision to part ways with the European champions, he said: “I want to be playing and to be important to the squad, particularly next year when there is the World Cup. But I want to fight for my place here, I would be crazy to leave Real Madrid. I would like to stay.”
The Los Blancos graduate is currently on international duty with Spain for the World Cup qualifiers against Macedonia, but agent Juanma Lopez hints a final decision on his client’s future will be made in the coming days, he said: “He does not want a season like this again. It was a great season, but he wants to play more. The player will take a clear and definitive decision in the coming days. I have not yet met with the representatives from Real Madrid.”
Morata shared a good bond with United boss Jose Mourinho while working together at the Bernabeu, and a move to Old Trafford remains his preferred option ahead of league rivals Chelsea. Meanwhile, the Mancunian giants also share a similar opinion on Morata with Romelu Lukaku angling towards a move to Stamford Bridge. The Europa League leaders are in desperate need of a marquee centre-forward next season after they released Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the expiry of his contract on Friday.