Chelsea fear losing out to Arsenal in chase for £65m summer target

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Arsenal have reportedly moved ahead of Chelsea in the pursuit of Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, who will fetch a fee of £65m.

The 23-year-old is currently on an extended break after featuring for Spain at Euro 2016, but will return to Real for pre-season training later this month.

That’s down to the fact that the La Liga giants exercised the buy-back clause in his contract with Juventus, and now look set to sell him on for a profit.

According to The Mirror, Arsenal are now in pole position to sign Morata, as he has been put off the idea of moving to Stamford Bridge due to the fact that the club aren’t involved in the Champions League next season.

Given the level of competitiveness in the Premier League next year, it would come as no surprise if the tables turned for the London rivals, but ultimately the report suggests that Morata is thinking short-term and his desire to play in European competition immediately.

Chelsea endured a horrid campaign last year in which they failed to qualify for Europe, as they saw Jose Mourinho sacked last December after a poor start to the campaign.

In contrast, albeit with expectations of winning the league, Arsenal finished second behind champions Leicester City, and will hope to continue to strengthen their squad and make that final jump up in quality to end their wait for a title.

As for Morata, he played a key role for Juve during his two years in Turin, helping the club to back-to-back Scudetti and a run to the Champions League final in 2015.

Nevertheless, having now moved on, he has consistently reiterated his desire to play an important role for his next team, and with so many top players in his way at the Bernabeu, a move elsewhere looks likely with the Gunners now expected to push ahead with a move.

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