Chelsea transfer news: Blues open talks with Real Madrid over Alvaro Morata deal as Antonio Conte sets to work

Morata is the joint top goal-scorer at the European Championship this summer, with three goals

(Getty)

Chelsea have reportedly opened talks to sign Alvaro Morata after Real Madrid executed a buy-back option in the Spaniard’s Juventus contract with the intention of selling him on for profit.

Madrid activated the £23.6m buy-out in the 23-year-old’s contract, having sold him to Juventus two years ago for £16m, but are aware some of their European rivals would be prepared to pay in excess of £30m.

Morata is the joint top goal-scorer at the European Championship this summer, with three goals, and is currently training with his Spain team-mates ahead the round-of-16 tie against Italy.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Roman Abramovich, the Chelsea owner, travelled to France last week to watch Morata in action as Spain succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Croatia in Bordeaux.

Arsenal and Manchester United have expressed an interest in the former Juve striker but Chelsea, desperate to repair the damage of their previous campaign, have moved swiftly to put themselves in pole position.

Morata is thought to prefer a switch to England to test his abilities in the Premier League but Antonio Conte, the new Chelsea manager, is wary that luring targets of such quality could pose problems.

After missing out on Champions League qualification last term, finishing 10th in the League, the Italian is said to have pleaded with the Stamford Bridge hierarchy to make extra funds available to compensate.