As early as next month, Barça could solve a potential problem for Atlético.
According to reports in the Spanish press on Thursday morning, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández has decided on lvaro Morata as his center-forward for 2022 and beyond.
Morata, who is currently on loan at Juventus, is expected to return to Atlético Madrid next summer. Juve have been hesitant to exercise the purchase option attached to his two-year loan deal, owing in part to financial concerns, but also to the player's unconvincing form. Despite his national team brilliance, Morata has not always impressed in Turin over the last year and a half.
This season, the 29-year-old has nine total goal contributions (seven goals/two assists) in 23 appearances across Serie A and the Champions League.
All of this suggests that Barcelona's apparent interest in a permanent transfer — as stated by Edu Polo of AS, Marca, and Mundo Deportivo — may correspond with a sigh of relief from the Wanda Metropolitano.
It is believed that Diego Simeone does not intend to sign Morata for the 2022/23 season. The player's 18 goals in 49 league games between 2019 and 2020 did not impress Cholo, who frequently benched him in crucial games. Atlético Madrid won LaLiga in 2020/21 as a result of their decision to drop him in favor of pursuing Luis Suárez.
Morata's possible return would also have an impact on Atleti's revenue-based wage bill, which is already at LaLiga’s imposed limits.
This deal will be difficult to complete in the middle of the season because Atlético and Juventus would have to agree to break Morata's loan in order to send him back to Spain. And, as is customary, Barça's financial woes will be a factor here. The blaugrana signed Ferrán Torres from Manchester City earlier this week, but they will be looking to move high earners in January and are unlikely to want to pay Morata's salary in full. Atlético could potentially demand a straight swap of Morata's rights for those of Antoine Griezmann, with the Frenchman's purchase obligation set at €40 million.
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