Manchester United edge closer to signing Álvaro Morata

It is looking increasingly likely that Manchester United will make Álvaro Morata their second signing of the summer. The latest reports are that United are “close to completing” a deal with the striker’s current club, - *checks notes* - little-known provincial Spanish outfit Real Madrid, for his transfer. With Zlatan Ibrahimović having been released after the end of his contract, José Mourinho has identified Morata as the Swede’s replacement in United’s attack.

Over the course of the last few weeks, United have reportedly “targeted” Morata, “prepared a bid” for Morata, and “agreed a deal” with Morata. Multiple reports have now emerged that indicate that the deal has now within fax-machine distance of completion. Morata’s agent, Juanma Lopez, was supposedly at the Bernabeu today to wrap up negotiations on the transfer.

The two clubs are still some distance apart on Morata’s valuation, but United hope to have an offer accepted somewhere in the €80 million range, which would be record for a Spanish player, and not a bad return for Madrid on a youth product who is currently only on the fringes of the first-choice XI.