Alvaro Morata could leave Real Madrid in January (Picture: AP)

Arsenal have agreed to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata on a six-month loan deal, according to reports in Spain.

Morata, a highly-regarded central striker who has mainly been an understudy to Karim Benzema this season, will reportedly be allowed to leave the Bernabeu when the transfer window reopens, with the Onda Cero radio station claiming he has chosen to join Arsenal.

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Tottenham have also shown interest in the Spain Under-21 international but Morata has reportedly told officials in Madrid he would rather join their north London rivals.


Morata has made 12 appearances for Madrid this term but the vast majority have come from the bench and the 21-year-old last started a game in the 2-0 win over Malaga on October 19. His two goals, both in La Liga, have come as a substitute.



The Madrid-born striker is highly thought of at the Bernabeu but has found first-team opportunities limited, with Angel Di Maria and rising star Jese also vying for places behind first-choice trio Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

Arsenal are keen to find cover for first-choice central striker Olivier Giroud in January, with Nicklas Bendtner likely to leave the Emirates Stadium.

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Morata has scored twice for Madrid this season (Picture: Getty)