Chelsea order Atletico Madrid to cough up £50m transfer fee for Alvaro Morata or Blues will recall striker

CHELSEA have told Atletico Madrid to cough up £50m for Alvaro Morata or they will recall the Spanish striker.

The 26-year-old joined Diego Simeone’s side on an 18-month loan back in January.

But the Blues have the option to call him back early.

And claim they are ready to make him return to Stamford Bridge this summer unless Atletico fork out to make the deal a permanent arrangement.

That leaves Atletico in a dilemma as they look to raise the cash to sign to ex-Real Madrid hitman.

They are due to complete the £112.9m capture of Benfica star Joao Felix this week.

Now Simeone could be forced to try and offload one of his players in order to secure Morata’s services.

And the news will be causing major concern to the player himself.

Morata has made it clear to Stamford Bridge chiefs he wants to stay at Atletico.

The Spanish striker scored six goals for the La Liga giants after his arrival to help them to a second-place finish in La Liga.

However, Frank Lampard’s arrival in the Chelsea dug-out could potentially offer Morata another opportunity at the Blues.

The £57m club-record buy fell out with previous boss Maurizio Sarri and also publicly criticised some of his team-mates and the club’s supporters.

But due to being unable to bring in any big-money buys, Lampard may decide to offer the former Juventus ace an olive branch to resurrect himself in West London.