Alvaro Morata reveals why he wanted to sign for Chelsea over Manchester United after he agrees terms with Blues
Alvaro Morata suggested he always wanted a move to Chelsea after agreeing terms with the Stamford Bridge club.
The Real Madrid forward had been expected to sign for Manchester United in this transfer window, after they gave up on landing Antoine Griezmann.
The Red Devils had a bid rejected for the forward before they turned their attention to Romelu Lukaku, bringing him in for £75m.
With Man United out the running, Chelsea stepped up their interest in Morata and announced on Wednesday they had agreed terms with the forward.
Later in the evening the 24-year-old spoke out about the news, telling Marca: “I am very happy, God willing, tomorrow I will be at Chelsea, a club that has always wanted me.
“I’m not disappointed about anything, I’ve won four titles here [with Real Madrid], but now I only think of putting on the Chelsea shirt.
“I want to grow up, if I didn’t I wouldn’t have left. I’d like to thank Zidane and wish him luck for the upcoming season.
“Thanks to all the Madridistas who supported me. I will always wish Madrid the best. The last time I wore this shirt was in Cibeles.”
Morata also spoke to AS, where he discussed the pending transfer, revealing that Blues boss Antonio Conte played a huge part in his decision.
“I’m going to the team managed by the coach who has placed the most faith in me, and that’s great for me,” admitted Morata.
The Madrid-born striker, who started his career at Real before joining Conte’s old side Juventus and then re-signing for Los Blancos, has been on the Italian’s radar for a long time.
In fact, Morata previously name-dropped the Chelsea boss in an interview with the Guardian: “Conte is the manager who most ‘bet’ on me, without even ever having had me in his team.
“I am very conscious of that: he bet on me for Juventus, but left before I arrived; then he wanted me at Chelsea come what may.
“He knows me better than I could imagine, I am sure, and that is important: it motivates you to work hard, train well.”
Morata concluded: “I feel indebted to him because he is the coach that most trusted in me, most wanted me.”