Real star holds out for Serie A switch

Morata

Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata is reportedly sweating on a move to Serie A champions Juventus.

Italian source TuttoSport claims the Turin giants’ long-running pursuit of the forward will drag on into next week after the Spaniard snubbed the opportunity to make a fresh start in Ligue 1 and Bundesliga respectively.

He turned down the chance to play for cash-rich Monaco and Wolfsburg in the hope that he can head to Italy.

The report reveals that negotiations between Juve and European Cup holders Real are set to continue, with representatives awaiting confirmation from president Florentino Perez that he will allow the 21-year-old to leave the Bernabeu.

Morata scored nine goals in 28 appearances for Carlo Ancelotti’s side during the 2013-14 campaign, many of which came from the substitutes’ bench.

He regularly found himself battling for a place in the starting line-up with the likes of star-studded internationals Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Jese.

Juve head coach Antonio Conte is already on the verge of strengthening his attacking options with the purchase of Juan Iturbe from Hellas Verona.

If he and Morata both complete their proposed moves, they will face competition from the likes of Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente for a starting berth.

Conte hopes to launch an assault on next season’s Champions League after successfully defending the club’s domestic title last term.