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Alvaro Morata's agent suggests Manchester United transfer is close

TheSpaniard is expected to complete a medical with United later this week

Monday 12 June 2017 19:01 BST

The player's agent also said that his client would not be joining AC Milan (Getty)

Alvaro Morata’s agent has suggested that the Spaniard is on the verge of joining Manchester United, describing the club as “a very interesting option” while admitting that an “important proposal” is in place.

As revealed by The Independent, United are hoping to bring Morata in for a medical this week after productive talks with Real Madrid took place over the weekend.

With veteran pair Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney expected to leave the club before next season, Jose Mourinho has set his sights on bolstering his front line options at Old Trafford.

After dropping out of the race for Antoine Griezmann, United have since turned their attention to Morata with a £70m expected to be accepted by La Liga champions Real.

And speaking to Calciomercato, Juanma Lopez, Morata’s agent, suggested that a transfer is increasingly likely and welcomed links to United.

Lopez said of United’s interest: “They are a club of great charm, a very interesting option.”

Asked if Morata had already agreed a deal, he continued: “I can say there’s a very important proposal and the decision rests with Real. I cannot tell [if it will be done quickly], we’ll see.”

Lopez also dismissed suggestions that Morata could be joining AC Milan this summer, revealing that the Italians had not managed to match United’s bid for the forward.

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Show all 8

1/8Manchester United summer transfer targets

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Ivan Perisic, Inter Milan

United want to spend £35m on Perisic but Inter are holding out for closer to £50m. That said, Mourinho is a big fan and may be willing to go the extra mile to get him. Likelihood: 7/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Renato Sanches - Bayern Munich

Sanches was being chased by United before deciding on Bayern Munich last summer but is back on their radar again 12 months later. He is available for £43m and Ancelotti has admitted United are "a possibility".

Getty

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Fabinho - Monaco

An extremely versatile player Mourinho sees him more as a defensive midfielder and could be used to give Paul Pogba, last summer's big addition, more freedom. Monaco aren't in any rush to lose any more first team stars this summer though and are likely to demand a hefty fee. Likelihood: 7/10

AFP/Getty Images

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Eric Dier - Tottenham

United have already had a bid less than £25m rejected for the defensive midfielder and know they must more than double it to have any hope of signing Dier, who is understood to want the move.

Getty

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Nemanja Matic - Chelsea

Nemanja Matic has twice worked under Jose Mourinho before and he wants to make it a third time at United. However, after beating Chelsea to Romelu Lukaku, relations between the two clubs have been soured somewhat.

Getty

Manchester United summer transfer targets

Gareth Bale - Real Madrid

The Real Madrid forward would be a marquee signing, the type that the Manchester United boardroom are keen to make, and The Independent has been told by sources from both United and Madrid that a deal is 'much likelier' than ever before. The player himself though is happy in the Spanish capital. Likelihood: 5/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Willian - Chelsea

Mourinho is a huge admirer of Willian, who he signed in 2013 while at Chelsea. The pair won a Premier League title and League Cup double together the following year and it is believed that the United manager will do his best to sign the player, who has not been a regular starter in Antonio Conte’s system. Whether Chelsea will allow him to leave, particularly to join Mourinho at their rivals is yet to be seen. Likelihood: 4/10

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Manchester United summer transfer targets

Andrea Belotti - Torino

Another of Europe’s most promising players, Belotti is fast becoming well-known after his outstanding performances at Torino, where he has scored 37 goals in 64 appearances since 2015. His best years are still ahead of him aged just 23, which contributes to the incredible €100m release clause, applicable only to clubs outside of Italy, negotiated into his contract. Torino are in no hurry to sell and will drive a hard bargain with any deal likely to start at upwards of £70m. Likelihood: 7/10

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“There have been frequent contacts [between us and AC Milan] until a few days ago, I can confirm that. But Real Madrid considered the Rossoneri’s offer to be unsatisfactory.”

This follow Sergio Ramos’ recent admission that his Spanish teammate could leave the club this summer.

Morata looks set to join United this summer (Getty)

“I have a special affection for him and I always wish him the best,” Ramos said when asked about Morata’s future following Spain’s qualifying win over Macedonia on Sunday.

“It is not up to me if he stays.”

Morata made just 14 La Liga starts for Real Madrid last season but scored a total of 15 times, averaging a goal every 81 minutes across the term.

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