Alvaro Morata insists he never wanted to leave Serie A giants Juventus in the January transfer window despite interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, speaking via Tuttomercatoweb.
When Juventus splashed out £62 million on arguably the most coveted striker in European football – well, the most coveted striker not called Erling Haaland that is – the expectation was that Morata would be shepherded out the door, unceremoniously dumped for a younger and more attractive model.
But things aren’t quite that simple.
According to Pavel Nedved, Juventus’ Vice President, the most ‘important’ striker at Max Allegri’s disposal is not Vlahovic – and not even Paulo Dybala – but the much-maligned Spain international.
“People talk less about Morata,” Nedved tells Football Italia. “But I feel he is the most important element in that trio, as he sacrifices himself, knows how to hold up the ball, work hard and create those spaces.”
Is Alvaro Morata heading back to the Premier League?
‘Important’ is one thing’. Whether Morata remains ‘integral’ to Juve’s long-term plans is another thing entirely.
All the signs suggest that the Bianconeri are planning to send Morata back to Atletico Madrid, rather than trigger the £30 million purchase clause in his contract, when the striker’s loan spell in Turin comes to an end.
Arsenal are reportedly interested.
And, according to The Times, Tottenham Hotspur were willing to meet Atletico’s demands during the January window too. Morata scored 15 goals under Spurs boss Antonio Conte in the 2017/18 season at Chelsea.
But while a return to the Premier League may hold some appeal, Morata has not given up hope of a long-term stay at Juventus.
“It’s not important,” Morata says when quizzed about interest from elsewhere.
“We talked with the coach during the transfer window, about his ideas. And he told me the arrival of Dusan would help me and that has been the case. I’m happy to be here. If it depended on me, I would always stay here.”
“(Allegri) told me that I had to stay and that he trusted me. Now I have to give everything to return his trust.”
One of the most divisive footballers of the modern era, Morata’s scored eight goals in 33 games this season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
