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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Alvaro Morata breaks silence on failed January transfer amid interest from Arsenal

Alvaro Morata has insisted he is "happy" to still be playing at Juventus, despite reported interest from Arsenal over the January transfer window.

The 29-year-old forward, who is currently on loan at the Italian club from Atletico Madrid, was reportedly a target for the Gunners last month, with Calciomercato claiming over the weekend that the north Londoners remain keen on the former Chelsea striker.

Morata is on loan with Juventus until the end of the current season, but his contract at Atletico is due to expire next summer, meaning the Spaniard could be available for a reduced fee in a few months' time.

The Spanish striker has not taken the Serie A by storm this season, with just five goals in 25 appearances in the Italian top-flight so far this term.

However, Arsenal are chasing a new striker after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club earlier this month, and with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah looking set to depart at the end of the season upon the expiration of their contracts.

Morata, who reportedly came close to joining Barcelona in January, could be someone Edu and Mikel Arteta are looking at, but the striker has now insisted he is happy playing his football for Juventus right now.

Alvaro Morata has been linked with a move to Arsenal. (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images) (Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)

He said: "It is not important now [the failed move to Barcelona]. I had a conversation with [Massimiliano] Allegri [Juventus boss] about it - he told me that Dusan's [Vlahovic's] arrival would help me and so it was.

"I am happy to be at Juventus - if it was up to me, I would always stay here."

What next for Arsenal?

As Morata mentioned, Dusan Vlahovic joined Juventus last month for around £66million from Fiorentina. The Serbian striker was Arsenal's main target in January, but he snubbed the Gunners in favour of staying in Italy, meaning the north Londoners are now looking elsewhere.

football.london understands that both Jonathan David and Alexander Isak are strikers that have, or are being, looked at by Arsenal and both possible options for the summer transfer window.

The reality is, though, with Lacazette and Nkeitah both looking to be on their way, the Gunners might have to sign up to three strikers, with Aubameyang also leaving earlier in the month.

So, there could be a world where Arteta and Edu go for both Isak and David, with Everton forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin also reportedly of interest to Arsenal.

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