Mourinho going all-out for Morata as Ronaldo cools off
Jose Mourinho will apparently go all-out to secure the signature of Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata this summer, according to a report in Thursday’s Sun newspaper. With Ronaldo looking like an increasingly unlikely mover, apparently Manchester United will offer £60 million for his team mate 24-year-old Morata, hoping to seal the deal before their pre-season training camp in Los Angeles
Paper Round’s view: Ronaldo was reported to have indicated a desire to leave Madrid last week, after the club initially failed to back him following allegations of tax fraud. Though since it was reported on Wednesday that Ronaldo had made a “goodwill gesture” of over €14m to the Spanish authorities, perhaps the issue will be put to bed. That said, £60m does seem like a big spend on a player such as Morata, who only made 14 starts in La Liga last season.
Costa holds tight for Atletico
The Daily Star reports on Thursday that estranged Chelsea striker Diego Costa will refuse to move on from West London until Atletico Madrid are ready to sign him in January. Costa hit the headlines earlier this month after he revealed Blues boss Antonio Conte had ‘dumped’ him via text, while he was on international duty – a revelation that will no doubt have caused further ill-will between the pair. Costa had been linked with a move to Atletico, but Los Colchoneros are subject to a transfer ban until January 2018.