Official: Álvaro Morata joins Atlético Madrid on loan from Chelsea

Nearly 18 months after his arrival as a club record £60 million signing from Real Madrid, Álvaro Morata is taking his talents back to the Spanish capital. But instead of joining Los Blancos, he will be playing (on loan) for their major rivals, Atlético Madrid, for the next 18 months at least.

Atléti were actually Morata’s first club as a youth player. They are reportedly paying €3 million in a loan fee plus 50 per cent of his salary. The arrangement includes a €50m buy-option, in case Atlético want to keep him, as well as a recall clause in case Chelsea want to give him another chance.

Incidentally, Morata was brought to Chelsea to fill the shoes of Diego Costa, who now becomes one of his new teammates.

When Morata first arrived at Chelsea, he appeared ready to meet expectations and hopes by scoring 12 times in his first 24 appearances. But thanks to injuries, tactics, and various other issues, It’s taken him almost twice as many games to score the next 12 goals for the Blues — he has 24 in 70 alongside an FA Cup trophy to show for his time at Stamford Bridge. Recently, even when he did manage to find the back of the net, he cut a sulky, disconsolate figure. The writing had been on the wall for some time; hopefully a change of scenery will do him good.

Farewell, at least for now, and good luck, Alvaro!