Alvaro Morata to Chelsea is a done deal, with the Spaniard jetting into Heathrow Airport today to undergo a medical after Chelsea and Real Madrid both confirmed an initial £58 million fee had been agreed.
The 24-year old was a target for Manchester United and Morata himself reportedly dyed his hair in preparation for the move, but Jose Mourinho instead turned his attentions to Romelu Lukaku, who signed in a £75 million move.
But Morata will still be playing in the Premier League next season, and was interviewed at the airport by Sky Sports, and talking about his move to Chelsea, his relationship with Antonio Conte, and the role Cesar Azpilicueta played in bringing him to Stamford Bridge.
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Check out the interview here:
Credit: Sky Sports
"It's the best club," Morata said Sky Sports News when talking about his move Chelsea.
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"He [Conte] is one of the best coaches of the world and I'm so happy to work with Antonio.
"I don't know [how close I came to moving to Manchester United], the most important thing is I'm here and to play for Chelsea and I'm here to take the medical and I think everything is OK.
"It's one of the best leagues of the world and I'm so happy to be here.
"I speak with Azpilicueta and he told me everything is OK."
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Morata, who scored 23 goals in all competitions for Real last season, has never actually worked with Conte, but the current Chelsea boss signed off his move to Juventus in 2014 before taking to the Italy national team job, and the Spain international is grateful for that.
Image: PA
Speaking to The Guardian earlier this year, he said:
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"Conte is the manager who most 'bet' on me, without even ever having had me in his team.
"I'm 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'm sure, and that's important: it motivates you to work hard, train well.
"I feel indebted to him because he's the coach that most trusted in me, most wanted me, who made me feel I could perform at the highest level. And yet I've never had the fortune to actually work with him. I'm sure sooner or later I will."
Morata was right, as he is now linking up with Conte for his first season in English football.
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Is he the perfect striker for Chelsea's system?
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(h/t The Mirror)
Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: Chelsea, Football, Alvaro Morata, Antonio Conte