David Moyes eyeing up move for young striker to replace unsettled duo.
Check in to Transfer Window: Done Deal Alerts
Manchester United manager David Moyes could make a move for highly-rated Real Madrid youngster Alvaro Morata, as he faces possible departures from Wayne Rooney and Javier Hernandez.
Morata is a Spanish Under-21 international striker who is currently impressing at this summer’s European Championships in Israel. He is regarded as one of the best recent products of Real Madrid’s youth academy after showing prolific form for their ‘B’ team.
Now 20, he is getting to the stage where he would like more regular first-team football, but may struggle to find that at Real Madrid, who have a well-known habit of signing big-money ‘galacticos’ before promoting their youngsters to the starting lineup.
The Spaniard, who has been compared with Real Madrid and Spain legend Fernando Morientes, scored two goals in 15 appearances for Real this season, and his talent hasn’t escaped the eye of United manager Moyes.
The Scot, brought in this summer to replace the retiring Sir Alex Ferguson, is known to be on the lookout for additions upfront, though despite previous links to the likes of Radamel Falcao and Robert Lewandowski, the former Everton boss may opt to sign young players in his first transfer window at United, having already brought in little-known Uruguayan 20-year-old Guillermo Varela as his first signing for the club.
Morata, however, would likely slot straight into the first-team setup at Old Trafford, as Moyes prepares to deal with the exits of Rooney and Hernandez, both of whom are unhappy with their current roles in the team.
Rooney spent much of last season played out of position by Ferguson, and has submitted a transfer request to the club. This will likely see him join one of a number of interested clubs in Europe, including PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid. Although Moyes hopes to persuade this potentially influential player to stay, it is unlikely that he will keep hold of him as he seeks a new challenge after nine years with United.
Hernandez has also been used sparingly at United, having to settle mainly for substitute appearances in 2012/13, despite showing a tremendous goals-to-games ratio. His finishing and goal-poaching instincts are much-admired around Europe, and he could join big names such as Juventus and Atletico Madrid this summer.
This would leave Moyes with only Robin van Persie and Danny Welbeck upfront, and the latter really struggled for goals last season, scoring only twice in all competitions despite being a regular starter. Although a favourite of Ferguson’s, Moyes is keen to add someone with more goal-scoring potential upfront.
Morata has previously been linked with Arsenal, and looks like he could be a good piece of business by Moyes if he can bring him in and get the best out of him.