Chelsea have not given up hope of signing Alvaro Morata despite suggestions he will sign for Manchester United as early as this week, according to reports in Spain.
The 24-year-old striker’s agent has spoken favourably of a move to Old Trafford this summer, describing the club as ‘great’, while United are believed to have already pencilled in a medical.
But now Catalan newspaper Sport claim that Antonio Conte has made one final push to sign Morata ahead of rival boss Jose Mourinho.
While United have agreed terms with the forward, they have yet to make a bid that satisfies Real Madrid, delaying the deal until a fee can be negotiated.
That has presented an opportunity for Chelsea, with Conte instructing Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to put together a €75 million package that he is convinced would be accepted immediately.
That figure is substantially more than United have offered, while the Blues are also ready to take James Rodriguez off Real’s hands too.
Chelsea are proposing a €155m double deal for the duo that blows United’s offer out of the water, though they may not move for James if they cannot sign Morata too.
Conte’s need for a new striker has increased after he told Diego Costa to find a new club, and he is a long-term fan of Morata who he tried to sign last summer and bought to Juventus before leaving.
Morata scored 15 goals in La Liga last year – second only to Cristiano Ronaldo among the Real squad despite only making 14 starts – while he scored, on average, every 81 minutes.
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