Real Madrid reject Manchester United’s £52m bid for Alvaro Morata

Real Madrid have turned down Manchester United’s opening £52.4m offer for Alvaro Morata and told Jose Mourinho’s side to cough up £78m for the striker, reports Sky Sports.

Morata has emerged as United’s top transfer target after failing to land Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann and Chelsea-bound Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

Jose Mourinho is keen to reunite with the Spain international at Old Trafford after blooding him through at Madrid during his time as manager of the European champions.

However, it remains to be seen whether they are willing to make Morata, who has never been first choice throughout his career, one of the most expensive players in the world following Madrid’s incredible valuation of the striker.

While United are keen to negotiate with Madrid after having their opening bid knocked back, Mourinho’s side will reportedly turn their attentions to Torino striker Andrea Belotti with a £70m bid if they fail to make any progress with Zinedine Zidane’s side.

However, even a bid to make Belotti one of the most expensive players of all time may not be enough to sign the Italy international, as the Serie A side are likely to demand his €100m (£87.3m) release clause is met.

Morata made 26 league appearances for Madrid last season but only 14 of those came as a starter. However, he still weighed in with 15 goals in that time, which only Cristiano Ronaldo (25) can claim to have bettered of all Madrid players.

Furthermore, of players that scored at least five La Liga goals in the 2016/17 campaign, only Lionel Messi (1 every 76.5 minutes of action) required fewer minutes per goal than Morata (1 every 88.7 minutes of action).

For more stats on Alvaro Morata, click here to visit his WhoScored player page