according to Spanish outlet Sport, who have reported today that the Gunners are set to sign the former Chelsea hitman this summer.
The 29-year-old spent last season on loan at Juventus but Sport added that the Italian outfit weren’t prepared to spend the £25 million needed to prise the Spaniard – a long-time Arsenal target – from Atletico Madrid on a permanent basis.
Tuttojuve reported earlier in May that the North Londoners were ready to pay that figure and it would appear it’s happening, with Sport claiming that a deal is ‘very close’ to coming to fruition.
Alvaro Morata to Arsenal would be one less of a headache for Mikel Arteta this summer.
Strikers are the order of the day at the Emirates Stadium and with Eddie Nketiah reportedly set to sign a new deal, and Gabriel Jesus among others linked, the Spanish manager’s striking options may be beginning to take shape.
Alexandre Lacazette, named in the worst XI of the Premier League this season, is almost certainly leaving the Londoners on a Bosman next month, having scored two goals from open play in England’s top flight throughout the entire campaign.
At 29, Morata to Arsenal would certainly buck a trend of signing up-and-coming young players by Arteta and Edu.
But this is someone who Tottenham Hotspur boss Antonio Conte labelled a ‘complete player‘, having managed him at Chelsea once upon a time.
And despite his struggles of recent years, he’s very much in the prime of his career and Morata could be the experienced number nine Arsenal needed this past season.