Transfer rumor roundup 5/25: Alvaro Morata considering AC Milan
By Nick Pitner
Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors surrounding which players could be joining new teams in the coming months.
Much of Thursday’s transfer news centers on Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata, who is attracting interest from some of Europe’s most prestigious clubs.
According to Marca, the 24-year-old is considering the prospect of becoming AC Milan’s marquee player, as the Rossoneri are targeting to make him the crown jewel of their already-impressive summer overhaul.
Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport goes as far as saying Morata has reached terms on a €7.5 million salary with Milan, but considering he’s also reportedly being courted by Premier League giants Chelsea and Manchester United, it’s questionable whether that’s the best wage offer on the table.
Morata’s uncertain future comes after he returned to Real Madrid this season following a two-year loan spell at Juventus.
Although he remarkably tallied 20 goals and six assists in just 1,871 minutes across all competitions, the Spaniard all too often found himself second-choice to Karim Benzema atop Los Blancos’ attack.
While manager Zinedine Zidane is said to have assured Morata that he’s a significant part of the team’s plans going forward, the player apparently believes he’ll be more highly valued elsewhere, which would benefit him ahead of next summer’s World Cup.
Should Morata decide to leave his boyhood club, it thought that Madrid would be open to doing business for a transfer fee of €60 million.
Elsewhere in the Spanish capital, Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Jan Oblak is squarely in the crosshairs of Paris Saint-Germain, AS reports.
Citing France Football journalist Nabil Djellit, the Spanish publication states PSG are ready to upgrade their options in goal, where Kevin Trapp and Alphonse Areola dueled for minutes this season.
At 24 years old, Oblak has already accumulated 113 appearances for Atleti, posting a stingy 64 clean sheets along the way.
In anchoring La Liga’s best defense this season, the Slovenian earned his second straight Ricardo Zamora Trophy, an award given to the best goalkeeper in Spain’s top-flight.
According to the report, PSG are prepared to pay €60 million to secure Oblak’s services, but will need to fend off an unnamed club that’s registered its interest in him as well.
Another player mentioned in the Spanish press Thursday is Manchester United’s Ander Herrera, who Sport says is among Barcelona’s options to reinforce their midfield.
The link is based in the fact that Herrera’s current contract is set to expire after next season, opening the door for a potential summer exit.
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Also working in Barcelona’s favor is the connection between soon-to-be manager Ernesto Valverde and Herrera, who worked together at Athletic Bilbao from 2011-2014.
However, after playing a prominent role in Manchester United’s Europa League-winning campaign, it remains to be seen whether Herrera is willing to return to his home country.
If Herrera stays put, Barcelona could further advance their discussions with the representatives of Nice maestro Jean Michel Seri.
According to Nice-Matin, the Ivorian has garnered inquiries from PSG, Monaco, Arsenal, Tottenham and Roma, but Barcelona is his preferred destination, and there seems to be mutual admiration.
Seri, who registered seven goals and nine assists this season, reportedly has a buyout clause of €40 million, and it appears he’ll be on the move this offseason, as Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere recently said, “there is a 20 percent chance that he will stay in Nice.”
Someone the French club is committed to keeping, however, is left-back Dalbert, which could set the stage for a summer standoff with Inter Milan.
Italian source Gianluca Di Marzio claims the Brazilian has already agreed to personal terms with the Nerazzurri, who have also made an offer to Nice, but the third-place French side are yet to respond.
After qualifying for next season’s Champions League, Nice understandably want to minimize their summer subtractions, and despite only arriving last year, Dalbert has cemented himself as one of their most important players.
The 23-year-old played the fourth-most minutes for Nice this season, finishing in the top three in tackles, interceptions and dribbles completed per game, per WhoScored.
While Inter Milan hope Dalbert will push for a move to Italy, Borussia Dortmund, Lyon and PSG are also reportedly after his signature.