Rumour: Real Madrid identify Alvaro Morata as Ronaldo's replacement for next season
Real Madrid are lining up with a replacement for the club’s icon Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked with a move away from the Spanish capital at the end of the season. According to a report by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Los Blancos are pursuing Juventus striker Alvaro Morata and the Spanish giants are hoping to re-sign their former player in the summer.
The 30-year-old has been casting a shadow on his long-term future at the Santiago Bernabeu, by constantly refusing to play down a return to his former club Manchester United or deny the possibility of making a big-money move to France’s Paris Saint-Germain next season.
Reports in Spain have suggested that the club president Florentino Perez is getting ‘irritated’ by Ronaldo’s flirtation with the aforementioned clubs and are now considering selling the Portugal captain if clubs are willing to activate his buy-out clause.
While Gareth Bale is widely regarded as the successor to the current Ballon d’Or holder at the Bernabeu, the Italian newspaper has reported that despite Morata’s protestations of being happy with life in Turin, the 23-year-old would be prepared to return in the event of Ronaldo’s departure and the young striker could be lined up alongside Bale next season.
The Spaniard's contract infamously has a buy-back clause, which would allow for a return to the Spanish capital, where he plied his trade as a youth player. There’s no doubt Los Blancos will do whatever they can to retain the services of the former United forward. However, Perez has a backup plan, should the club’s all-time leading goalscorer leave the Bernabeu next summer and Morata’s return is being lined up.
Morata had previously revealed the existence of a buy-back clause in his contract, telling Radio Marca last month:
“What the papers say about there being a buyback clause for me to go back to Real Madrid is true. However, some things are more important than clauses and a person's happiness must be considered. If we win the Champions League final at the San Siro then I will walk back to Turin.”
The 23-year-old knocked out his former club from the Champions League by scoring two crucial away goals in the semi-finals of the competition. It ultimately proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Chelsea superstar Eden Hazard is also a likely candidate to replace the Portuguese in Madrid. The Belgian international, who was awarded Premier League’s Best Player last term, is struggling to find his feet at Stamford Bridge and reports in England have suggested that Hazard is keen on a move to Los Blancos.