Real Madrid slap £24million price tag on Arsenal target Alvaro Morata

Real Madrid will demand £24million for Arsenal target Alvaro Morata, according to AS.

The 21-year-old, who made just five starts for the Champions League winners last season, is in high demand after Real boss Carlo Ancelotti admitted he expected the youngster to leave the Bernabeu this summer.

The Gunners were linked with a move for Morata in January, as they looked to reinforce their offensive line, but the youngster insisted he was happy to remain at Madrid despite a lack of game time.

Ancelotti suggested on Tuesday a loan deal was most likely, but it is understood the club will accept significant offers for Morata, whose contract ends next summer.

Madrid will lower their demands and entertain offers between £14million and £20million if a repurchase clause is included as part of the deal; the option would see Morata return to the Bernabeu within two years for a 30% premium on top of the original fee.

But potential suitors, including Arsenal and Wolfsburg, are not encouraged to meet the demands of a repurchase clause and unwilling to offer the £24million which would secure the Spaniard’s services outright.

The player’s team is keen to wrap up any deal with haste and won’t wait until the conclusion of the summer World Cup to press ahead with negotiations.