Arsenal transfer news: Alvaro Morata to cost £38m as Real Madrid willing to sell striker to Gunners
Gunners told to up their bid for Spain striker as they look to bolster attacking options
Posted Thursday, May 26, 2016 by Thesun.co.uk
Arsenal will have to up their bid if they want to bring in Alvaro Morata
REAL MADRID are ready to sell striker Alvaro Morata to Arsenal — but want at least £38million.
The Gunners finally completed the £30m signing of Granit Xhaka yesterday, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will have to spend big again if he wants Morata, who helped Juventus win Serie A while on loan there this season.
Real Madrid are keen to get Chelsea and Manchester City involved in the bidding for the Spanish ace to push the price even higher.
Morata will meet the Bernabeu hierarchy next week to discuss his future after Real told Juventus they intend to invoke the buy-back clause for the forward.
Alvaro Morata shrugs off Bayern Munich star Arturo Vidal
Real Madrid told Juventus they intend to invoke the buy-back clause for the Alvaro Morata
Alvaro Morata kisses the Italian Cup after winning it with Juventus
Real, who sold Morata to the Italian champions for £16m two years ago, retained the right to re-sign the player for a guaranteed £24m.
But they plan to sell him to an English club for a huge profit.
Arsenal have been leading the chase for the 23-year-old and are ready to meet Real's asking price.
Yet they fear that new Chelsea boss Antonio Conte also has his eyes on Morata.
Real Madrid sold Alvaro Morata to the Juventus for £16m two years ago
Alvaro Morata in action for Real Madrid before his transfer to Juventus
Alvaro Morata celebrates with Cristiano Ronaldo during his time at Real Madrid
Morata was not a regular first-team starter during his two years in Real's senior squad and scored just seven league goals for Juventus this season.
Yet Wenger believes Morata will be a striking improvement on Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott.
The club announced the signing of Swiss midfielder Xhaka from Borussia Monchengladbach yesterday. And Wenger said: "Xhaka is an exciting young player who already has good Champions League and Bundesliga experience.
Arsenal finally completed the £30m signing of Granit Xhaka yesterday
Arsene Wenger says Granit Xhaka is "an exciting young player"
"We have been watching him for a long time and he is a player who will add quality to our squad."
Wenger is also optimistic of adding Bolton centre-half Rob Holding and Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic to his numbers.
Arsenal have offered £1.2m for Holding, 21, with the promise of further payments based on appearances.
Australian Rogic, 23, would cost £7m.
But Arsenal fear they will lose out to Liverpool in the battle for Leicester's highly-rated left-back Ben Chilwell, 19.
Arsene Wenger is moving quickly this transfer window to land his targets
Arsene Wenger thinks Morata will be a striking step up on Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott
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