Chelsea open talks with Atletico Madrid over Alvaro Morata departure paving way for new striker
The Blues forward has struggled since arriving at Stamford Bridge at the beginning of last season and could be given an escape route
ALVARO MORATA is in talks with Atletico Madrid ahead of a move back to Spain, according to reports.
The Chelsea striker, 26, has struggled for form since arriving at Stamford Bridge at the beginning of last season.
It is understood a fee is yet to be finalised for the forward but he was spotted in Spain on Sunday night.
There were suggestions a shock loan move to Barcelona may be on the cards but it looks like a permanent transfer to Diego Simeone's side is close.
Morata made a name for himself when he broke through the ranks at Real Madrid before heading to Juventus and then returning to Los Blancos.
But it was actually at Atleti that he began his football career, playing in the youth set-up there between 2005 and 2007, leaving aged 15 to join Getafe for a year.
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Morata is under contract at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2022 but he is clearly unhappy and is believed to want a return to Spain.
His wife Alice Campello took to Instagram to fuel talk of an exit at the weekend when she posted a picture with Morata in a car and then showing a motorway sign for Gatwick Airport.
He has just five Premier League goals this season but has been left out in recent weeks.
The Spaniard has played just two of the last seven league matches and was not even in the matchday squad for the other five, including on Saturday against Newcastle.
Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has opted against playing a recognised striker, instead playing Eden Hazard in a 'false 9' role.
report that Morata is prepared to take a significant pay-cut to join Atletico, showing just how desperate he is to leave. He is currently earning around £8million per year at Chelsea.
Even so, Atletico are understood to need to offload some players in order to comply with their wage budget limit.
Gelson Martins and Nikola Kalinic are two of the names tipped to make way and clear up some of the funds.
Simeone likes to play a 4-4-2 formation with one more physical striker alongside talisman Antoine Griezmann.
Former Chelsea striker Diego Costa is currently recovering from foot surgery he underwent in early December meaning Angel Correa has been Griezmann's partner in attack.
But Morata - who joined Chelsea for £58m just 18 months ago - would surely relish the opportunity to get minutes under his belt again and especially in more of a target man role.
Morata's imminent departure frees up a space for a new striker to come in.
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Gonzalo Higuain looked to be set for a move to the Blues after working under Sarri previously at Napoli.
But it is understood Juventus want to sell the Argentine striker rather than loan him out.
Another option is Bournemouth's Callum Wilson but the south-coast club have reportedly slapped a £75m price tag on the England international.