Alvaro Morata cuts short honeymoon as Manchester United move edges closer to completion
Real striker returns to Madrid early to try to push through £63million move to Old Trafford
ALVARO MORATA has taken a break from his honeymoon to fly back to Madrid in an attempt to push through his move to Manchester United.
Morata had escaped for a holiday with bride Alice Campello, who he married in a lavish ceremony in Venice earlier this month.
But he left his new wife on the island of Formentera near Ibiza to make a trip back to the Spanish capital and try to finally clinch the £63million switch to Old Trafford.
The 24-year-old is growing increasingly frustrated at the lack of progress the transfer is making and he boarded a plane in the hope of resolving the issue.
Morata is desperately hoping to avoid the deal becoming a summer-long saga and would prefer to have certainty over his future sooner rather than later.
But until Real and United reach an agreement over his asking price Morata is being left hanging in limbo.
United have offered £63m, and believe that should be enough for the European champions to accept for a player who was not first choice at the Bernabeu last season.
But Real believe he is worth £70m and have so far been unwilling to budge on their valuation - much to Morata's frustration.
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The player had been hoping the deal would have been sorted out well before his wedding so he could relax in the knowledge his future was sorted.
Instead the two clubs have reached a stalemate with Real knowing they have the upper hand as the selling club.
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Personal terms have already been agreed between the club and player, and the transfer would be a formality if United agree to match Real's valuation.
Morata wanted a meeting with club officials at the Bernabeu to get the exact low-down on the situation, eager to see his future resolved.
He is desperate for it to all be finalised in time for him to link up with the United squad when they report back for their pre-season trip to America on July 8.
Alvaro Morata factfile
- Alvaro Morata, aged 24, was born in Madrid, Spain, in October 1992.
- He spent two years at Atletico Madrid’s academy before moving on to Getafe and then Real in 2008, still a junior player.
- Morata made his debut for Real in August 2010, scoring against Castilla.
- He joined Juventus in July 2014 for £17.5million but Real retained an option to buy him back.
- After scoring 27 goals in 93 games in Italy, Real bought Morata back for £26million in 2016.
- Last season he managed 20 goals for Real, his best return.
- He made his international debut for Spain in 2014 and has nine goals from 20 games.
- Morata is a complete modern striker, who is strong on the ball, has energy and pace, and at 6ft 2in is also lethal in the air.