Morata ‘getting closer’ to Atlético Madrid move — report

According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Álvaro Morata’s move to Atlético Madrid is taking steps forward and getting closer to its conclusion.

“Advanced talks” should mean that the clubs are making progress in their negotiation over transfer terms, with major points of dispute being initial loan fee, the possibility of a buy-option, and the wage burden each club would have to carry. In the meantime, the striker “has accepted the destination” (and presumably any personal terms) and is now just waiting for the details to be wrapped up so he can complete his switch to the Wanda Metropolitano.

Morata started his footballing career at Atlético as a youth player, playing for them from 2005 to 2007 before moving to Getafe and then joining Real Madrid, where he eventually made it to the pros. A return to Atlético would complete a full cycle.

While it would be sad to see Morata leaving the club so soon, the past 18 months have not worked as well as we all had hoped when Chelsea spent a club record amount on him in 2017.