According to Spanish newspaper AS, Real Madrid Manager Zinedine Zidane wants striker Álvaro Morata to stay at the club in spite of the barrage of rumours linking him to an exit from the Spanish champions. Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan are reportedly interested in the 24-year-old services, with La Gazzetta dello Sport claiming that the Spaniard is now nearing a transfer to the rebuilding Rossoneri on a €60 million fee.
Gazzetta dello Sport: "Alvaro Morata says 'yes' to AC Milan". Chelsea interest has cooled in the last few weeks btw. #cfc pic.twitter.com/RAwiWgY79w
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) May 25, 2017
At Madrid this season, Morata has only had 1,871 minutes of playing time across 42 games in all competitions. Despite his limited time on the pitch, he still managed to record 20 goals and 6 assists, becoming Madrid's second-best goalscorer behind only Cristiano Ronaldo, who netted 40 goals in 45 appearances.
Morata is supposedly looking to leave Madrid to be a regular starter in a top European club, and the three teams currently in the chase for his signature would give him this opportunity. However, Zidane does not want to lose the striker due to his contributions on the pitch and his positive(?) attitude in the squad.
Zidane has reportedly promised Morata that he will have a bigger role in the club next season. But that might not be enough, especially in light of the 2018 World Cup. Morata is looking to play every week in a big club to show his competence to Spanish national team manager Julen Lopetegui.
His destiny will apparently be decided after the Champions League finals, when Morata will sit down with his representatives to discuss what he should do with his career. Until then, we can only wait and reflect on what impact he would have at Stamford Bridge.