Alvaro Morata: 'Tottenham Hotspur snub not because of Harry Kane'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 30 December 2017

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata rejects claims made by Mauricio Pochettino that he turned down the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur in the past due to Harry Kane.

Alvaro Morata has confirmed that he held talks with Mauricio Pochettino over a move from Real Madrid, but has denied suggestions that he rejected the chance to join Tottenham Hotspur because of Harry Kane.

Pochettino revealed in August that he had previously come close to signing the Spain international, who swapped Madrid for Chelsea during the summer for a fee of £70m.

The Spurs boss claimed that Morata was worried about playing second fiddle to Kane, which he felt was the main reason behind a possible switch breaking down.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, however, the 25-year-old has dismissed Pochettino's claims and says that he was never likely to leave Madrid at the time.

"No it's not true," he said. "I spoke with him and he said he wanted both [of us] to play together, but there was no chance to come to Tottenham.

"For sure I would like to play with Kane, he's a big player, one of the best strikers in the world, but in this moment when I spoke with [Pochettino] there was no chance to leave Real Madrid."

Morata has scored 10 goals in 17 Premier League appearances for Chelsea, while also finding the net once in the Champions League and once in the EFL Cup.