‘Makes my heart so small’: Pundit gutted for star after failed Arsenal move

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Antonio Cassano has told BoboTV his heart breaks for Alvaro Morata having to play out of position at Juventus after a transfer to Arsenal collapsed, via quotes by TuttoMercatoWEB.

Massimiliano Allegri has utilised Morata as a de facto left-forward since the closure of the January window. The Spaniard had led the Bianconeri attack before the winter market, but Dusan Vlahovic has since taken over point duty following his €70m (£58m) arrival in Turin.

Morata has previously featured on the Old Lady’s wings, but had enjoyed a campaign solely at striker this term. He had also offered five goals and three assists over 22 Serie A games at centre-forward. But Vlahovic has taken over after hitting home 17 goals with Fiorentina.

Vlahovic leaving Tuscany for Turin in January also raised doubt over Morata’s future with Juventus, amid transfer interest from Arsenal. The Times reported Morata was also open to moving to north London as Mikel Arteta strived to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

However, Calciomercato note Allegri eventually chose to keep Morata as Dejan Kulusevski joined Tottenham. The Bianconeri could now reconsider buying the forward from Atletico Madrid this summer, if they can renegotiate their €35m (£29m) option to €15m (£12.5m).

Cassano’s heart ‘so small’ for Morata at Juventus after Arsenal move collapsed

Allegri keeping Morata at Juventus and from a transfer to Arsenal only to use the striker as a winger is breaking Cassano’s heart. The former Italy international does not believe it is beneficial for either the forward or the Bianconeri to continually field him out of position.

“Morata and [Paulo] Dybala have to play as wingers in this way and you can’t see it,” he said. “At this point, it is better to put two wingers directly into the role. Watching Morata play like this makes my heart so small.”

Arsenal ultimately failed to replace Aubameyang during the January transfer window after Juventus retained Morata. Arteta will now have to rely on Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah to lead the Gunners attack, despite both forwards being out of contract this year.