Manchester United hours away from completing Morata deal

Manchester United have improved their offer for Alvaro Morata and could complete a sensational swoop for the Real Madrid striker in a ‘matter of hours’, claims MARCA.

Morata has been identified as a top transfer target by Jose Mourinho this summer as the United manager looks to reunite with the Spain international at Old Trafford.

The European champions only re-signed Morata from Juventus 12 months ago after triggering their buy-back option for £23.6m but he failed to establish himself as a first team regular last season and now looks poised to leave his boyhood club for the second time in his career.

Despite spending most of the season as a substitute, Madrid are demanding a staggering €80m (£70.2m) for the 24-year-old and United have now increased their offer to €75m (£65.8m).

Mourinho wants United to get their transfer business concluded before the squad are due to fly to America for their pre-season tour this weekend and, given how close the two teams now are in their valuations, a deal could reportedly be completed imminently.

Morata only started 14 league games last season but enjoyed his most prolific campaign to date as a professional. In fact, only Cristiano Ronaldo (25) scored more league goals for Madrid last term than the Spaniard (15).

Furthermore, of players that scored at least five goals in La Liga last season, only Lionel Messi (1 every 76.5 minutes) required fewer minutes per goal than Morata (1 every 88.7 minutes).

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