Arsenal loan target Alvaro Morata is said to want to stay in Spain with Real Madrid despite the heavy rumours linking him with a 6 month loan deal to the Gunners. Morata has been on the fringes of the Madrid team this season but a poll in the Spanish newspaper AS revealed that 86% of Los Blancos fans think he should be in the starting eleven. The Spain Under-21 international is highly rated in his homeland and has scored two goals in 12 appearances this season, albeit 11 of them as substitute.
Reports have suggested that the 21 year-old would join the Gunners on a six-month loan deal in January. However, Morata told the Madrid club website:“I feel the boss trusts me, so do the coaches. I want to be here for a long time.” He then proceeded to add: “The manager has played me in a lot of difficult matches and I am very happy. I have to repay his trust in me.”
This shows that Morata seems intent on staying at Real Madrid, especially as he is likely to be a rotation option at Arsenal, which is the current squad status he holds at Real Madrid. Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has also said: “Morata stays. He is happy. If he doesn’t feel comfortable at the end of the season we will think about loaning him.”
It seems unlikely that Arsenal will be able to secure a loan deal for Morata in January, and with Bendtner most likely departing the club Arsene Wenger may have to look at other potential replacements for the Dane to add to Arsenal’s squad depth.
Twitter: @Dan_Bannell