Former Chelsea and Real Madrid forward available for cut-price transfer due to release clause
The Spanish striker has scored more goals this season than in any previous campaign in his entire club career.
Alvaro Morata could be on the move this summer.
The 31-year-old has another two years left to run on his contract with Atletico Madrid.
However, that contract also includes a very modest release clause that will be active during the transfer window.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Atletico will be obliged to accept all offers over €12 million.
Romano explained in a tweet: “Understand Alvaro Morata’s release clause for this summer will be valid for fee in excess of €12m.
“There are possibilities for Morata to leave Atletico this summer, based on strikers domino around Europe.”
A fee of €12m for Morata would appear low for a striker who has scored over 200 goals in a club career that has seen him represent some huge teams.
Morata began his career at Real Madrid before moving to Juventus for a fee in the region of €20m in 2014.
He returned to Real two years later in a deal worth €30m.
Morata’s most expensive transfer to date then took place in July 2017 when Chelsea paid Real around €66m to bring him to Stamford Bridge.
He returned to Spain with Atletico in a €35m move three years later following an initial loan.
Morata was loaned out by Atletico to Juve between 2020 and 2022, but he has spent the past two years as a member of Diego Simeone’s first team.
The 31-year-old has netted 21 goals in 47 games for Atletico this season, having bagged 15 in 45 in the 2022/23 campaign.
Morata is arguably in the best form of his life.
Prior to the current campaign, he had twice reached 20 club goals in a season - in 2016/17 with Real and 2020/21 with Juve - but had never gone beyond that landmark.
Alvaro Morata’s best ever seasons based on senior club goals scored
2023/24 (Atletico Madrid) - 21 goals in 47 games (so far)
2016/17 (Real Madrid) - 20 goals in 43 games
2020/21 (Juventus) - 20 goals in 44 games
2019/20 (Atletico Madrid) - 16 goals in 44 games
2022/23 (Atletico Madrid) - 15 goals in 45 games
2014/15 (Juventus) - 15 goals in 46 games
2017/18 (Chelsea) - 15 goals in 48 games
As well as netting more than 200 goals in his club career, Morata has scored 34 times in 71 senior international appearances for Spain.
He is expected to play a key role for Spain at Euro 2024.
Another player who could be leaving Atletico this summer is goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Romano explained in Friday’s Daily Briefing: “Jan Oblak’s situation remains open for the summer transfer window.
“Atletico Madrid still consider him as a key player but won’t stand his way if Oblak receives an important proposal.
“Giorgi Mamardashvili remains on Atletico’s list in case Oblak leaves.”