Man United transfer news: AC Milan 'win race' to sign Euro 2024 star

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter
Published: 15 July 2024 2:57 PM

Serie A return? AC Milan 'win race' for Man United-linked forward

AC Milan are reportedly closing in on the signing of a Euro 2024 star that has recently been linked with Manchester United.

AC Milan have reportedly made the breakthrough in their search for a new centre-forward.

With Olivier Giroud leaving San Siro to move to MLS, there has been a need for I Rossoneri to acquire an alternative for the final third.

Then-Bologna forward Joshua Zirkzee had been an option before the Dutchman instead decided to pursue a move to Manchester United.

That transfer was finalised on Sunday afternoon, effectively ending the Red Devils' efforts to acquire fresh faces for their attack for the time being.

Zirkzee was not the only frontman to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, it having been claimed last month that United were in discussions regarding a potential deal for Alvaro Morata.

Despite having scored 20 goals in La Liga and Champions League in 2023-24, Morata has a relatively-small release clause in his contract at Atletico Madrid.

Spain's Alvaro Morata celebrates scoring their first goal on June 15, 2024 © Reuters

Morata to leave Madrid for Milan

As a result, Atletico have been left vulnerable to losing their talisman for a fee in the region of €13m (£10.93m), a fee attainable for many of European football's top clubs.

Nevertheless, according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Milan have made their move to try to finalise a deal for the 31-year-old.

Romano says that Milan have informed their Atletico counterparts of their plan to activate the option in the Spain international's contract.

Furthermore, it is stated that Morata has given the green light to make the move to San Siro, with a transfer expected to be finalised in due course.

Spain forward Alvaro Morata on June 24, 2024 © Reuters

Another stint in Italy

Having spearheaded Spain's attack during their successful Euro 2024 campaign, Morata is currently one of many players receiving plaudits for the impact that he has made in Germany.

Morata has a respectable record in La Liga, contributing 71 goals and 15 assists from 180 appearances, and the same applies for his previous stints in Italy.

As many as 35 strikes and 29 assists have been posted from 130 outings across two separate spells at Juventus, 37 of those contributions coming between 2020 and 2022.

Milan now have Paulo Fonseca at the helm, it seemingly likely that Morata will be regarded as first-choice pick down the middle of his frontline.