If the latest rumors out of Spain are to be believed, it would seem that Chelsea have really been intent on acquiring Álvaro Morata this summer. According to Spanish radio network Cadena SER, Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez rejected a €75 million bid by Chelsea for the 23-year-old, who re-joined Los Blancos from Juventus on a €30 million buy-back a few weeks ago. A €60m bid from Chelsea was supposedly rejected earlier as well.
A previous report from newspaper Marca claimed that Morata was seeking assurances about his role with Madrid this season. He was keen on returning to his childhood club, but wants to be an integral part of the squad. All the while, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte had been reportedly in contact with Morata, giving guarantees over playing time were Morata to move to Chelsea.
Given the amount offered by Chelsea - only €5 million below the price believed to be what Real Madrid were holding out for - it's likely that the Spanish club are in fact not letting go of Morata, with their manager Zinedine Zidane intending to use him on the pitch next season.
Certainly a bullet dodged, although one has to wonder why we'd bother spending so much money on a young and talented, but not yet world-class, striker.