Manchester United Focus On Alvaro Morata

Manchester United want Alvaro Morata – but not at Real Madrid’s asking price of £79m.

A differential of around £20m in the two clubs’ valuation has proved the biggest stumbling block in Jose Mourinho’s bid to install the striker as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s replacement at the point of United’s attack.

Old Trafford’s hierarchy remain hopeful a deal can be struck – even if any potential fee is certain to look outlandish for a player, who spent the majority of last season on the bench.

That is not to dismiss Morata’s status as one of the most sought-after strikers in Europe this summer.

Rather it is a statement on a transfer market that Ed Woodward accepted would be hugely inflated even before embarking on securing the four key targets Mourinho wants to add to his squad.

Morata has become a priority – and that has weakened United’s hand.

Injury to Ibrahimovic, who was subsequently released, has made the recruitment of a top class number nine imperative for Mourinho.

Real know that – and are so confident of their own bargaining position that they believe they can stick to their asking price for a player who is surplus to requirements at the Bernabeu.

Woodward must now determine whether Morata represents value for money – even at that price.

The very fact United have homed in on the 24-year-old suggests their executive vice chairman has already come to a decision.

Considering the available alternatives, Morata may well be the ‘value’ option.

When Mourinho drew up his list of forwards with the requisite qualities to lead his line, score goals at the highest level and cope with the physicality of the Premier League, the candidates included – but were not limited to – Morata, Romelu Lukaku and Andrea Belotti.

Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski would also fit the remit and is a long-term United target.

Morata, Lukaku and Belotti represented more attainable options.

But even then, the fees being quoted were astronomical.

Everton are holding out for a world record sum in excess of £89m for Lukaku, while Belotti’s Torino buyout clause stands at £87m.

In that context Morata’s £79m price tag looks more reasonable by the day, considering he is a proven goal scorer in Spain, Italy and the Champions League.

That is the type of guarantee Mourinho needs when trying to fill the void left by 28-goal leading scorer Ibrahimovic.

Morata scored 22 goals, despite just 18 starts last season.

He has proven he can travel – impressing so much during his time at Juventus that Real opted to invoke a buyback clause last summer to return him to the Bernabeu.

Three goals for Spain at the European Champions were also a measure of his potency at all levels.

Lukaku’s 32 goals for club and country last season confirmed his rise as one of the most lethal strikers in the Premier League – even if the Belgian does face questions over his record in the biggest games.

Considering he scored against Manchester City on two separate occasions last term – and against Tottenham and Arsenal, criticisms would appear harsh.

But it is notably his failure to assert himself against Chelsea, United and Liverpool that have led to suggestions he is a flat track bully.

Either way, his Premier League experience aside, it would be difficult to argue a case for the 24-year-old to be valued at as much as £20m more than Morata, who has delivered in the Champions League.

Belotti, meanwhile, despite comparisons with Italian great Christian Vieri, has only emerged as a striker of note over the past 18 months.

His return of 32 goals in 43 appearances for Torino and Italy last season meant United were obliged to consider him – even if they are understandably cautious about meeting his buyout clause.

In terms of experience and pedigree, Morata rises above the rest of Mourinho’s list of targets, which is why Woodward has been locked in talks in with Real over the past week.

United remain hopeful of agreeing a ‘cut price’ deal – but in a hugely-inflated market, even at Real’s £79m asking price, Morata could yet represent the value option.