Morata moving closer to summer Chelsea switch

Chelsea are now leading the chase for the signature of Juventus striker Álvaro Morata, who looks in line to depart the Italian champions this summer.

Morata is being heavily linked with a move to the Premier League, and all the indications point to Stamford Bridge being the Spaniard's likeliest destination.

Working with Conte an attractive prospect

With Antonio Conte taking over as Blues manager, a transfer to the West London side is thought to be an option that appeals to the former Real Madrid man.

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Ex-Juve head coach Conte was a major driving force behind Morata's switch to Turin in 2014, despite resigning as Bianconeri boss shortly before the 23-year-old's arrival at the club.

Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain, who are after a replacement for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, are too very keen on the player, who is currently on Spain duty ahead of Euro 2016.

Real hold crucial buy-back option

An outfit also set to have a key part to play in resolving Morata's future are Real, who negotiated a buy-back option on the academy graduate when he left the Bernabéu for Juve.

The clause, which Los Merengues can activate between 1 and 15 July, allows them to re-sign Morata for 30 million euros, with the Champions League winners then expected to seek to sell him on at a profit.

Chelsea and PSG well placed

Bayern Munich and Arsenal - who have made a bid for Leicester City's Jamie Vardy - have also been interested in securing his services, but Chelsea and PSG have emerged as the frontrunners as things stand.

After a troubled campaign, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is out to build a new project around Conte to lift the team back to the top of the league - and Morata appears part of that plan.