Chelsea are preparing an offer of around 80 million euros for Real Madrid striker Álvaro Morata. This potential move to the Premier League champions now looks like the most likely exit strategy for the player after Manchester United splashed out on Everton frontman Romelu Lukaku.

Morata Atlético

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Spain

All seemed so different just a week or so ago with all conversations pointing at a move to Old Trafford for the young Spaniard - and this has not yet been ruled out as José Mourinho has let one of the club's most prolific goalscorers leave and last season's top marksman Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also on his way to yet another new chapter. United are still keen on doing business with Madrid and have a colleague of Morata's in mind.

Full screen Zinedine Zidane talks to Morata as he makes yet another appearance from the bench. FELIPE SEVILLANO (DIARIO AS)

Chelsea and Madrid working together

According to AS sources involved in the Morata operation the London club will submit a bid of close to 80 million euros, including all variables, to Real Madrid in the next few days. The Spanish and European champions, however, are still hoping to be recompensed with 90 million euros for the services of the young man that only returned to the Spanish capital a year ago after impressing at Juventus. The Italian in charge at Stamford Bridge, Antonio Conte, has not hidden his admiration over Morata and although the asking price is no different than that made clear to United, the working relationships between the two clubs is much more fluid.

Morata to accelerate transfer process

Personal terms between the player and the London club don't appear to show any signs of causing difficulties with a deal expected of four or five years and a remuneration greater than the six million euros net that Morata was on in Spain. Sources at AS have reported that the player, for his part, is currently in Valdebabas, Madrid, and will not travel with the squad to the USA as he looks to accelerate the conversations in the early part of this week and get clarity on his future.