Former Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata has issued a furious plea to Atletico Madrid over his future and admitted: “I get the impression I am not the priority at the club.”
Morata, 31, who joined the Blues from Real Madrid for £60million in July 2017, spent three years at Stamford Bridge, scoring 24 goals in 72 appearances. He moved to Atletico on an initial 18-month loan before securing a permanent move to the Wanda Metropolitano for £58m in July 2020.
However, Morata almost immediately moved to Juventus on loan for one season with an option of another. The Serie A took that up as Morata ended up spending two years at the Old Lady, contributing to their Coppa Italia success alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. He scored 32 times in 92 matches in his second stint at Juventus, having enjoyed some time at the Turin club earlier in his career.
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Morata returned to Atletico at the start of the 2022/23 season and has since posted some impressive numbers. He finished as their La Liga top scorer that campaign with 13 goals before recording 21 in 48 in all competitions last season, one behind Antoine Griezmann, who scored 22 times.
Despite that, Atletico have been linked with a move for a new centre forward this summer. This is amid the speculation surrounding Morata’s future, with the experienced front man boasting two years left on his contract. He has been linked with a move to Serie A and Morata has now issued a demand to Atletico, telling them to either to ensure he is a regular starter or else he will not be staying.
“I see what is in the media and the directors know what I am talking about, so I will say it clearly,” Morata told El Larguero. I have not spoken to anyone, but if I see that Atleti want to sign eight strikers, I get the impression I am not the priority at the club.
“I am 31 years old, I will be 32 in October, so I cannot remain at Atletico Madrid if I won’t be playing.”
Juventus, AC Milan and Roma have all been linked with a move for Morata in the summer transfer window. It’s understood that his preferred destination would be Italy, partly because of his previous successes in Serie A and that his wife Alice is Italian. There is a £12.6m release clause in his contract.