While their neighbors Manchester City have been making all the noise in the transfer market thus far, Manchester United have been fairly quiet. However, it seems that the Jose Mourinho managed club are going to open their account with a bang in the transfer window, with the acquisition of Real Madrid's young Spansih striker Alvaro Morata.
Big bang start for United
According to latest reports in borth English and Spanish media, Manchester United are on the verge of completing a deal worth $81.6 million (convered to US Dollars from £64 million) for Real Madrid's 24 year old Spanish striker Alvaro Morata.
The club have been in the market for a striker ever since their last season's top scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic got injured and this morning the club announced that they would not be offering him an extension.
Morata has been a part of the Real Madrid senior team since 2010 but he has not been able to break into the first team and even spent two seasons on loan at Juventus before returning to the club last year. In a team boasting such attacking talents as Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale; it eventually became clear that he would be better off taking his skills elsewhere. However, his talent as a strker is not in doubt and it is believed that United have been able to sign a young striker, who has the talent to become one of the best in the world over the next few years.
Morata the second choice
Manchester United had been close to acquiring the services of Atletico Madrid's French striker Antoine Griezmann, but the player refused to move after the Madrid based club was banned from any transfer activity. United had to change course quickly and soon they turned their sights on Morata, a talented striker who was not getting enough playing time at one fo the world's biggest clubs.
Fellow english premier league club Everton's prolific striker Romelu Lukaku had been the other option but according to most reports, the striker is set to join the league champions Chelsea this summer.
United's manager Jose Mourinho does not like protracted transfer sagas and likes to have the gaps in the squad filled up early so that he can get on with the more important job of coaching the first team.
Morata did not get as many starts for Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid, but still managed to score 15 goals across all competitions in the 2016-17 season. Manchester United fans would hope that he replicates that goal scoring prowess next season.
