Transfer rumor roundup 5/23: AC Milan interested in Morata
By Elliot Howey
Here’s a roundup of the latest news and transfer rumors from across the soccer world. Find out which players could be joining new teams this summer.
The highlight of Tuesday’s transfer rumors is that AC Milan are interested in signing Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata, according to the Express.
AC Milan are reported to have already discussed a possible switch back to Italy with Morata this week. The forward was linked to a move to Juventus earlier in the window. However, with Juve having both Paulo Dybala and Gonzalo Higuain in their attack, Morata’s game time may be limited.
The start of Morata’s Chelsea career was promising, as he managed to score eight goals in his first nine appearances for the Blues. However, his performances took a dip in the months after and it seemed Antonio Conte had lost faith in the Spaniard when the Blues signed Olivier Giroud in January.
Morata’s exclusion from Spain’s World Cup squad won’t have lessened the doubts about his future at Chelsea. However, with the constant speculation around Conte any deal may have to wait until the outcome of Chelsea’s managerial situation.
While AC Milan have concerns of their own, Milan’s huge spending spree of last summer has left them close to the limit in terms of Financial Fair Play rules. So, any permanent move for Morata may depend on the departure of Andre Silva. He has been linked with a move to Premier League new boys Wolves.
Meanwhile, Manchester City are apparently keen on highly-rated Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to The Guardian.
Pep Guardiola is an admirer of the defender’s ball playing ability and composure at such a young age. However, City have a large number of players who can play center-back in the squad at the moment.
City paid $76 million for Aymeric Laporte in January, but he failed to make a huge mark on City’s defense and club captain Vincent Kompany was quickly back in after overcoming injury.
Next: The best player on each team at the World Cup
Reports in this morning’s Daily Mail suggest that Manchester United are willing to let Anthony Martial go, just not to a rival club in the Premier League.
Martial has grown frustrated at the lack of first team opportunities and will be disappointed at not being part of France’s World Cup squad. His time at United may be limited and he may see his future away from Old Trafford.