Juventus and Atletico Madrid will soon meet in a pre-season friendly, but more importantly, at the negotiating table. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, the Bianconeri chiefs will take the opportunity to discuss the future of Alvaro Morata.
Juventus will lock horns with Atletico on Sunday in their final pre-season friendly. Massimiliano Allegri’s men will use it as an excuse to reopen talks over Morata’s future. They want the Spaniard to return to Turin for the third time.
Morata spent the last two seasons on loan at Juventus, establishing himself as a permanent first-team fixture under Allegri and his predecessor Andrea Pirlo. But the Italians failed to extend his stay earlier in the summer.
Despite his well-documented lack of finishing, Morata excelled as a supporting striker to standout star Dusan Vlahovic. Aware of the 29-year-old’s on-field understanding with the Serbian frontman, Juventus are keen to bring him back in the coming weeks.
Since Morata is not part of Diego Simeone’s plans at Atletico, Los Colchoenros may not need a second invitation to get rid of their outcast. But it will take some effort from Juventus to get the deal over the line, as the Spaniards have no interest in gifting anything away.
Although Juventus initially refused to pay €35m to secure Morata’s services permanently, they are unwilling to give up the ex-Real Madrid man yet. There is no doubt the player would like to continue in Turin. However, it is up to Atletico to decide how they want to play this out.