Tottenham want to sign Alvaro Morata this summer, a player that Mauricio Pochettino said in 2017 rejected a move to Spurs because of Harry Kane. Juventus are yet to turn his loan into a permanent move.
The 29-year-old rejoined Juventus on loan from Atletico Madrid in 2020, agreeing a two-year loan spell with the option of a permanent £30million move (MD). He has starred in those two seasons, producing 53 goal involvements.
The Spain star has netted 32 goals, but proved incredibly creative too, laying on 21 assists. Reports claim that Tottenham, Arsenal and Newcastle are all keen, as Juventus try to reduce the £30million fee they previously agreed.
- Newcastle and Tottenham want Leeds star, but Elland Road is his best move
- Robin Koch an unsung hero at right-back in Leeds’ final games of 21/22
Back in 2017, Spurs tried to sign Morata. But Pochettino says the forward rejected a move to Tottenham as he did not want to play back-up to Kane. Morata moved to Chelsea that year.
“He said to me: ‘Why do you want me if you have Harry Kane?’ You know, if you go to try to sign a striker, they will say: ‘Eh gaffer, you want me for what? To be on the bench?’ Because it’s Harry Kane,” Pochettino said, as per the Metro.
Tottenham want Morata: Pochettino said he rejected move in 2017
Would he do the same now? Morata’s future is in doubt, and he has been playing in a Juventus side that have boasted Dusan Vlahovic, Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala during his two-year stint with the Old Lady.
So, clearly, he is more accepting to a rotational role. But Antonio Conte’s side to play a 3-4-3 system with room for only one striker. Morata could play off the wing, given they go beyond Kane to score.
But he is a no.9 and would only, reasonably, play in that role. Champions League football would see Kane need to be rested at times, even substituted. But Morata would not get the game time he has got at Juventus.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
