Transfer Centre

Chelsea weighing up move to re-sign Alvaro Morata?

By Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter | 22 August 2022

Chelsea are reportedly considering a move to sign Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who spent two years at Stamford Bridge between 2017 and 2019.

Chelsea are reportedly considering a move to re-sign striker Alvaro Morata this summer.

After allowing Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner to join Inter Milan and RB Leipzig respectively, the West Londoners are looking to bolster their forward line before the transfer window shuts.

Chelsea are allegedly in advanced talks with Barcelona to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on a permanent deal, with a fee between £15m and £25m being discussed.

Thomas Tuchel is keen on reuniting with Aubameyang, who scored a 79 goals under the German head coach during his time at Borussia Dortmund.

"I enjoyed a lot working with [Aubameyang], it was a pleasure. This has nothing to do with the situation now, but some players stay your players because you were very, very close and Auba is one of those players," Tuchel told reporters.

Barcelona's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their first goal on February 27, 2022 © Reuters

"We had a very close relationship. Always when he played here with Arsenal, it was straight away this close bond. They always stay your players in a way and Auba is one of those players."

It is understood that Chelsea are keen to include Marcos Alonso in a player-plus-cash deal for the Gabonese forward, but Barca are only interested in a straight cash offer amid their financial concerns.

Should the Blues fail in their attempts to lure the 33-year-old to Stamford Bridge, Sport claims that they will contemplate a move for Atletico Madrid striker Morata.

Morata joined Chelsea from Juventus for a fee of around £60m in the summer of 2017 and he spent two seasons in West London, scoring 24 goals in 72 appearances across all competitions.

The 29-year-old failed to reach the level expected under former bosses Antonio Conte and Maurizio Sarri, and he eventually moved to Atletico in January 2019 on an 18-month loan deal.

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata celebrates scoring the opening during his side's Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on November 4, 2018 © Reuters

Morata joined the Spanish side permanently in the summer of 2020 but was then loaned out to Juventus where he has spent the last two seasons, scoring 32 goals and providing 21 assists in 92 appearances.

The 56-cap Spain international has now returned to Atletico and has made a bright start to the new campaign under Diego Simeone, scoring a brace in their 3-0 opening-day La Liga win away at Getafe.

Chelsea could face competition from Premier League rivals Manchester United for the services of Morata, although any interested clubs would have to pay at least €60m (£50.7m) if they wish to prise the forward away from Atletico.

With Erik ten Hag allegedly reluctant to join Chelsea in the race for Aubameyang or pursue a move for Paris Saint-Germain's Mauro Icardi, Morata is now considered to be on of United's leading targets in the final 10 days of the window.

Morata, who is believed to be considering his options, has two years remaining on his contract at Wanda Metropolitano.