Real Madrid News
Juventus and Atletico Madrid plotting striker-for-striker swap deal
In just over 20 days’ time, Alvaro Morata will return as a Rojiblanco to the Wanda Metropolitano. The Spanish striker is at the tail end of his two-year loan spell in Italy and his future is still uncertain.
Atletico Madrid require reinforcements in the final third heading into next season and are trying to work out formulae to use Morata as a bargaining chip.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Real Madrid and Juventus are holding talks over a possible Alvaro Morata-Moise Kean exchange deal in the summer.
The negotiations seem to be progressing in the right direction so far. However, Simeone’s approval is still missing.
Since his move to Juventus in 2020, the forward has scored 20 goals and provided 16 assists in Serie A. Of this, nine goals and seven assists came in the recent 2021-22 season.
The one factor that could work against the deal is Juventus’ recent incorporation of Dusan Vlahovic. Since his signing for the Bianconeri, the Serbian has scored eight goals and has drastically cut Morata’s minutes on the field.
If the deal goes through, Moise Kean would don the red-and-white colours next season. The 22-year-old started 12 games for Juventus this season, scoring five goals and providing one assist.
While Kean is still an Everton player and on loan at Juventus, the Italians have an obligation to buy him in the summer. That said, they could look to incorporate him in the said swap deal.
A lot will depend on Diego Simeone’s stance on the operation. However, since the manager does not count on Morata in his plans, bringing in the Italian as a replacement could be good insurance for their striker spot.
Allegri seems to want Morata’s services for a bit longer as well, which could facilitate the deal.
Real Madrid are looking towards a heavy splurge in the coming summer transfer window. After all, they do not even have another option given the sheer number of player departures already finalized.
Los Blancos have lost the services of Karim Benzema, Marco Asensio, Mariano Diaz, and Eden Hazard over the past week. While three of the four players predominantly featured on the bench, their presence in the squad gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side much-needed depth and a cushion of sorts.
The forward unit is, thus, the most prioritized department ahead of the transfer window. However, pieces are beginning to fall apart on other fronts and could potentially put the club in a difficult situation.
According to reports from Gianluca Di Marzio, Juventus are eyeing Lucas Vazquez and hope to sign him in the coming month. Contacts between the two parties have begun and the transfer fee discussed appears to be around the €6 million to €8 million ballpark given that he has just one year left on his contract.
The player, for his part, is willing to sign for the Italian giants given his relative lack of minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu. At 31 years of age, he understandably does not want to play a second-fiddle role.
Vasquez played part in 23 of Real Madrid’s 38 La Liga games last season, starting only on 12 occasions. Even in his few appearances, he averaged a mere 50 minutes per game.
The veteran completed the season with four goals and an assist to his name. Further, he averaged five defensive actions and a key pass in every game and feels hard done by his limited role.
Vazquez’s departure would place the club in a tricky situation as it would leave Real Madrid with only Dani Carvajal as a natural right-back option. Nacho Fernandez could, in theory, serve as the backup but a new signing for the position cannot be ruled out.
