Arsenal are considered an ‘obstacle’ stopping Juventus from signing Alvaro Morata on a permanent basis from Atlético Madrid.
That’s according to Calciomercato, who say the Italian side have been aware for ‘several weeks’ that Arsenal are keen on the Spaniard.
The Gunners are believed to be on the hunt for a new striker this summer, having let Pierre Emerick Aubameyang leave for Barcelona in January and with Alexandre Lacazette set to leave on a free transfer in the summer.
Reports have indicated that Mikel Arteta would like an experienced forward to fill the gap, and several claims this week have put Morata at the top of the list.
On the 11th, it was claimed they had €30m in hand to make a move this summer, and that was followed by the suggestion they’re waiting and ready to pay Atlético’s demands.
CM pick up on that and state that Arsenal are seen as an ‘obstacle’ in the way of Juventus getting Morata, who is currently on loan in Turin, on a permanent basis.
They’ve known about the interest from the Gunners for ‘several weeks’, and Arteta’s interest in Morata was even made clear during the January transfer window.
Juventus have decided to keep Morata after his loan, but Arsenal’s inclusion in the matter is ‘complicating the plans’ that they’ve laid down.
That’s because Juve have so far offered €15m and would be willing to go €25m, but Arsenal are seemingly willing to pay more than that, and perhaps closer to the €35m purchase clause Atlético put in the loan deal with Juventus.
There is currently no panic, but there is a sense that Arteta’s project at the Emirates ‘could also tease Morata’, even if they’re looking less likely to make it into the Champions League.
Juventus do have two major advantages in the race, though. They can offer more money to the player, and Morata has not forgotten his struggles in London with Chelsea. He’s now happily building a life in Turin with his family and would presumably be keen to continue that.
Arsenal are very much in the running for his signature, however, and making things a little more difficult at this moment in time.
