Alvaro Morata to take pay cut to join Atletico Madrid?

Alvaro Morata is reportedly willing to take a hit on his wages in order to end his Chelsea nightmare and link up with Atletico Madrid.

The Spain international has struggled to fit in at Stamford Bridge and is no longer in Maurizio Sarri's plans, having been left out of the squad to face Newcastle United on Saturday.

Morata has spent the past few days in his Spanish homeland with the hope of completing a move away from Chelsea, but frontrunners Sevilla revealed on Monday that they are no longer in the running to sign the 26-year-old.

Marca suggests that a number of other routes remain open for the former Real Madrid and Juventus ace, though, with Atletico among those aiming to thrash out terms with both the player and his current club.

In an attempt to persuade Atleti to get a deal over the line, Morata is said to have agreed to take a substantial pay cut on his £8m-a-year wages.

Diego Simeone's men must still sell a player before bringing the 26-year-old to the Wanda Metropolitano, however, with Gelson Martins and Nikola Kalinic the most likely candidates to move on this month.