Alvaro Morata ‘happy’ at Juventus as Real Madrid speculation mounts

The Spanish striker only moved to the Serie A champions last year for €22 million, but an impressive first season in Italy – which also saw him score the decisive goal as Juve dumped Real out of the Champions League – has sparked speculation that he could return to Real.

Rafa Benitez’s side have the option of resigning the 22-year-old for €30m.

“I’m happy at Juventus, I want to win more titles here,” Morata told Cadena Cope. “The coach [Max Allegri] has proven himself to be a great coach, and the team has created a great group. They welcomed me brilliantly and it feels like I’ve been playing with them for four or five years.

“Has [Madrid coach Rafa] Benitez called me? No.”

Morata also revealed that he did not keep his runner-up medal from the Champions League final, which saw Juve suffer a 3-1 defeat to Barcelona.

“I don't want any memory of that day,” he added.

“These have been difficult days. Losing a Champions League final is a big deal. Before the final, I got up in the night a few times thinking I'd already played the final, it was a dream for me, I couldn't wait.

“At the end, I didn't swap shirts with anyone. I don't want any memory of that day. I didn't even take the medal. I don't have silver medals at home.”

He’s faced Real Madrid rejection once; he should swerve a second dosage. Morata is flourishing in an impressive team – one that will remain strong even if the likes of Paul Pogba depart – and does not need to prematurely return to Spain.

Would he start at Real? Karim Benzema is the lead man in attack, despite persistent rumours that he could depart to Manchester United in a swap deal for David de Gea, so it appears more likely he would simply be a replacement for departing loanee Javier Hernandez.