Chelsea send Atlético Madrid ultimatum on Álvaro Morata
The Spaniard is currently on loan at the LaLiga club but may have to return to the Premier League if £50 million is not paid for him.
Álvaro Morata returned to LaLiga in January to play for Atlético Madrid on an 18-month loan deal from Chelsea. The Premier League club do, however, have the option to force the striker back to Stamford Bridge during this summer's transfer window, and according to Matt Law in the Telegraph they have 'warned' Atleti that they will do this if his move is not made permanent for £50 million.
Morata: Atlético to pay up or lose out
With a transfer ban in place for the London outfit, restricting them adding to their squad for the next two transfer windows, players out on loan have the potential of being recalled earlier than planned. This reported threat comes despite the Spanish striker not having the most successful period for The Blues and having made it clear that his preference is to stay with Diego Simeone's side as they look to improve on a second place finish in LaLiga next season.
Related stories
Frank Lampard, Chelsea legend and new manager, is currently fashioning a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the English league but with both Gonzalo Higuain and Eden Hazard leaving in recent weeks, for Juventus and Real Madrid respectively, goals need to be found. If he feels that he can get a better return out of Morata, then he may try to clean up some of the bad blood that was created from his time there.
As Atleti prepare to hand over 120 million euros for Benfica striker Joao Félix, will they also buy out their Spanish 26-year old's contract? With Antoine Griezmann expected to leave for a fee of well over 100 million euros, this shouldn't be too impossible a challenge.