As Chelsea striker Álvaro Morata continues to take his vacation in Italy, claims linking him with a return to Serie A continue to swirl. Juventus might be the obvious choice, but AC Milan are possibly also an option, especially following last summer’s concurrent pursuit. In fact, according to Gianluca Di Marzio, Morata “regrets” not joining the Rossoneri then.
Sì, si è anche pentito di non aver accettato poi estate scorsa
— Gianluca Di Marzio (@DiMarzio) June 5, 2018
Take that for whatever you will, but it’s just more fuel for the slowly building but already heavily smoking fire.
Unfortunately for Morata, his pals in Milan have troubles of their own, namely the specter of UEFA sanctions after they were found in breach of Financial Fair Play rules last summer by spending way more than they should have and recording major losses on their books following a somewhat strange board takeover. The sanctions could range from fines and loss of squad registration spots in European competitions to a straight ban from the tournament.
Milan, who earned a Europa League berth this season with a 6th place finish in Serie A, expect to be kept in the competition. However, according to the New York Times, UEFA’s financial investigators are recommending the harshest punishment in the book. Either way, Morata would seem rather unattainable for them, even before we consider the silliness of Chelsea allowing Morata to leave so soon after breaking the club record to sign him. His goals return may not have been spectacular, but it was still serviceable and with the promise of better days to come.