Morata to Barcelona is BACK ON

FT Desk
FT Desk
  • 25 Jan 2022 11:21 GMT
  • 3 min read
‘If Juventus want Morata they’ll have to pay for him’ – Atletico Madrid president
© ProShots

Dusan Vlahovic’s imminent transfer to Juventus has once again reopened Alvaro Morata’s move to Barcelona.

Vlahovic is on the verge of signing for Juve in a deal expected to be worth €67 million plus bonuses.

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That transfer will now have a domino effect, as Vlahovic would replace Morata as Juventus’ main striker.

According to a number of top Italian publications, including Sky Italia, Morata will now again ask Juventus to allow him to move to Barcelona.

Barcelona want to sign Morata this month on an 18-month loan and made a move for him earlier in January.

It was widely reported that Morata gave his okay to the move, but the deal was blocked by Max Allegri.

Morata has struggled for goals at Juventus
© ProShots - Morata has struggled for goals at Juventus

Juventus were also said to have been furious at Barcelona for allegedly tapping-up Morata, with Xavi speaking to the striker without permission from the Bianconeri.

Will Juventus let Morata leave?

However, Juventus may now be open to letting Morata leave if the Vlahovic deal goes through as expected.

Barca will need to negotiate with both Juve and Atletico Madrid in order to make this happen.

This is because Morata is in the last six months of a two-year loan in Turin from Atletico, who own his contract.

Morata returned to Juventus in the summer of 2020 but has struggled for goals largely.

He has scored 27 times in 70 appearances in all competitions, which works out at less than a goal every three matches.

This season he has only five Serie A goals in 20 matches, which has been a factor in Juve being the lowest scorers in the top half of the Serie A table.

Nevertheless, Xavi is said to be a big fan of Morata and believes he is the perfect player for the middle of his front three at Barca.

Before Barca can complete a deal they will need to lower their wage bill by offloading some more players.

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