Alvaro Morata says he is “happy” at Atletico Madrid despite rife rumours linking him with a switch to Manchester United. The striker netted twice in his club’s opening 3-0 La Liga win over Getafe on Monday night, the first competitive game he has played for the Spanish side since 2020.
The attacker spent two years on loan at Juventus, who decided against triggering his option-to-buy clause this summer. Atletico seemed open to offloading the 29-year-old prior to his double against Getafe. Erik ten Hag is eager to bring an attacking reinforcement to United before deadline day.
It’s an objective he has had since arriving at the club, even before Cristiano Ronaldo handed in his transfer request. Ten Hag recently reiterated that the superstar had not told him he wanted to leave, but the Manchester Evening News understands he is now privately willing to let Ronaldo go.
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Reports have linked United with a move for Morata, who had a difficult three years under contract at Chelsea. He netted 24 times in 74 outings at Stamford Bridge but failed to grow into the world-class striker many had expected, and so was loaned out to Atletico in January 2019 before moving permanently 18 months later.
Amid links of a return to England, Morata responded to questions about his future after the Getafe win. "Speculation over my future? It's what comes out in the press,” he said.
“I just wanted to work and work, Atletico are one of the best clubs in the world. If there's a market I can't do anything, just work, I'm happy here and I want to continue working."
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