Alvaro Morata now favourite to be next piece in Antonio Conte’s Chelsea puzzle
Real Madrid striker 5/2 to join summer signings Michy Batshuayi and midfielder N'Golo Kante at Stamford Bridge
CHELSEA have emerged as favourites to sign Alvaro Morata.
The Real Madrid striker, who has been at Juventus for the last two years as part of a boomerang deal that saw the Spanish giants exercise their right to buy him back, is weighing up a £50million move to Stamford Bridge.
Real are deciding whether to either keep him or make a healthy profit on the forward who is now 5/2 with Ladbrokes to leave this summer.
Chelsea are very interested with new boss Antonio Conte in daily contact with the player – having given him assurances over his place in the Stamford Bridge squad.
Conte is busy building his new-look Blues side having already bought striker Michy Batshuayi and midfielder N'Golo Kante.
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But Real head coach Zinidine Zidane is keen to keep Morata and has also been in touch with the player and has interrupted his sailing holiday to call him.
Should Morata be given enough assurances by Zidane it could be he will be happy to sign a new deal at the club where he came through the ranks.
Morata's arrival could signal the end of Diego Costa's time at Stamford Bridge, with the fiery Spaniard 11/4 to quit west London this summer.
Meanwhile it's 7/1 Conte both welcomes Morata and bids farewell to Costa before the end of the transfer window.
Ladbrokes News’ Richard Marsh said: “Conte isn't hanging around at Stamford Bridge, and Alvaro Morata looks to be the next piece in the Italian's Chelsea puzzle, at Costa's expense.”