Player Profile: Alvaro Morata

Name: Álvaro Borja Morata Martín

Age: 24

Position: Striker

Current Club: Real Madrid

Morata was first signed at the age of 12 into Atletico Madrid’s youth academy, where he’d stay for two years before making a switch to Getafe and ultimately Real Madrid. Alvaro Morata would later debut with their B team at the age of 17. The Spaniard went on to play four years for the first team, netting 10 goals in 37 appearances before he was shipped to Juve from 2014-2016.

During his time in Turin, Morata netted 15 in 63 appearances but struggled for play time behind the likes of Mandzukic and later Dybala. In his first year in Turin, he served as the counterpart to Carlos Tevez which aided Juve in getting to the Champions League final where they would eventually lose 1-3 to Barcelona. Clearly, he did well enough to impress his parent club as they activated his buy back clause for €30 million. In his first year back with Madrid, the Spaniard has played exceptionally well behind Benzema, with 27 goals and 5 assists across all competitions this year, averaging a 7.03 average match rating to boot (WhoScored). Per Squawka, Morata never averaged below 50% shot accuracy in his stint with Juve, and posted a passing average of at least 75% or more since 2014. The 24-year-old hitman has surpassed those numbers this year at Madrid with a 63% shot accuracy and 78% pass completion. Morata is reportedly unhappy with his play time at Real Madrid and favors a move away from the Santiago Bernabéu this summer with 4 years still left on his current contract.

Analysis with Milan:

Morata to me is the biggest signing Milan need to make. Not only is it a statement of intent, but it would be an excellent fit as well. We’ve mentioned the previous Serie A experience and overall level of experience in previous articles, but it goes beyond that. Provided Milan can go and get a new speedy left winger as Deulofeu will be heading back to the Camp Nou, the Rossoneri are able to boast a side that can look to break down defenses while also excelling on the counter. While Carlos Bacca is a clinical forward, he lacks the ability to really create chances for himself, whereas Morata can easily make them for himself as well as he can make himself open for one. He’s good with the ball at his feet and does well in hold-up play when needed. With the likes of Suso, Bonaventura, and hopefully a few other new players feeding him the ball, Morata would serve as a staple in Milan’s new side. Recent news reports have suggested that Morata is likely to snub a move and hold out for Chelsea, and this is contingent on a few things.

1. Griezmann would have to leave for Man U

2. Costa would then leave for Atletico

Provided these two moves happen, then I can see any move with Milan breaking down. Morata has spent most of his career playing second fiddle to his team’s first choice (Tevez, Mandzukic, Dybala, and Benzema), and I can’t imagine he’ll head to London if that same uncertainty of play time is there. His wife has stated how she’d love for them to move back to Italy and Morata has mentioned his interest from time to time. These same news outlets called news of a move to Milan “dead in the water” back in April, while we reported that the move made too much sense to be counted out and the same holds true for the recent reports. Milan are prepared to meet the sizeable fee of €60 million for Morata’s services. While many players are overpaid for now a days due to the widespread inflation in the transfer market, this is one where the Rossoneri need to bite the bullet and pull the trigger in order to continue in their pursuit of becoming a top flight team again.