Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has said Alvaro Morata is likely to stay at Juventus beyond this season and distanced himself from reports he wants to bring the striker back.
The 22-year-old grew up in the youth teams at Los Blancos and was a back up to Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale last season but failed to make the breakthrough he was looking for.
When he slipped behind Jese Rodriguez in the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu, he decided to test himself in a new country and league and signed for the Old Lady for 18 million euros last summer.
Despite a slow start to life in Italy, Morata has started to impress, netting seven goals and providing support to fellow strikers Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.
Reports last week suggested Los Blancos could look to activate a buy-back clause in the summer, with the club believed to be on the lookout for a new forward as they’ll not take up the option to sign Javier Hernandez.
But speaking to Italian paper Gazzetta dello Sport, Ancelotti said Morata would stay in Seria A for now.
“He needed to play. He’s a young boy who was looking for more opportunities and consistency. He had a lot of offers, he’s the one who chose Juve,” he said.
“He’s a modern striker, he has pace, rhythm and intensity, he’s cool in front of goal and he’s a hard worker. In Morata’s contract there’s a right of redemption [for us] but I think he’ll stay at Juventus.”
