Arsenal join Juventus in the race for former Chelsea striker

A latest report has claimed that Arsenal have joined Italian club Juventus in the race to sign Alvaro Morata from Spanish club Atletico Madrid.

Morata, a former Chelsea striker, has been tipped to end his stay at Juventus following the arrival of Dusan Vlahovic in the January transfer window.

However, he is set to remain in Turin until at least the end of the season on loan.

There is doubt on Morata’s future at Atletico Madrid as his current contract is set to expire in 2023, but Juventus are likely to trigger an option to buy him permanently in the summer.

However, Tuttomercatoweb claimed that Morata instead has his eye on a move to Arsenal, who will be in the market for a new frontman ahead of the 2022-23 season.

The Gunners are set to lose Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah on free transfers in under six months’ time, leaving Folarin Balogun and Under-23s prospect Mika Biereth as Mikel Arteta’s only two centre-forward options.

Juventus and Atletico are reported to have settled on a €35m (£29m) buy option following his 2020 arrival, but it has now been claimed that Juve will attempt to negotiate a €15m (£12.5m) deal with bonuses.