Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is lining up an approach for Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata with Alexis Sanchez weighing up a summer exit from the Emirates.
The Chile international is currently on an extended rest following the Confederations Cup, but his ambition to play in the Champions League could lure him elsewhere.
“The idea is to play and win the Champions League. I’ve dreamt about it since I was a kid.” he is quoted as saying by The Star.
Sanchez currently has just a year left on his Gunners deal, and the failure to agree to a new contract could urge the club to sell rather than risking him for nothing in a year’s time.
According to Don Balon, Wenger has identified Morata as a potential replacement for Sanchez during this summer’s transfer window.
Alexandre Lacazette already arrived from Lyon for a club-record £52m this summer and some more signings are expected as per betting odds on Arsenal.
However, the Gunners may be to break their transfer record once again if they are to get their hands on Morata. The forward is also a transfer target for league rivals Chelsea, but his £78m valuation has prevented clubs from sealing a potential agreement for the Champions League winner.
The Los Blancos graduate was largely restricted to playing time during the course of the previous campaign but he still managed 20 goals across all competitions.
With the World Cup coming along, Morata could favour a switch to a club, who could offer him regular playing time, but the lack of Champions League football still appears a disadvantage for Arsene Wenger’s team.
Arsenal will take on Bayern Munich and Chelsea in pre-season friendlies in China later this month, and Wenger would expect a strong performance from his team irrespective of the nature of the competition.
