Chelsea transfer news: Antonio Conte refuses to rule out third bid for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata

The Blues have already had two bids for the Spain international rejected after the 23-year-old was brought back to the Bernabeu last month

Morata starred in Spain's Euro 2016 campaign which was cut short by the Italians (Getty)

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has refused to rule out a third bid for Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata.

The Blues have already had two bids for the Spain international rejected after the 23-year-old was brought back to the Bernabeu earlier this month after Madrid triggered a £23m buy-back clause in his contract with Juventus.

The west London club joined a long list of top teams from across Europe who were linked to the player, including Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain.

It was initially believed that the forward had been recalled by Madrid with the purpose of selling him on for a healthy profit.

However, it now seems that Los Blancos intend to keep hold of Morata as they enter into the new season.

Speaking after Chelsea’s 3-0 friendly victory over AC Wolfsberger in Austria, Conte was asked about the Spaniard.

“About this situation - I prefer to leave with the club," the Italian said. “We know our targets and the most important thing is that between me and the club there is a great synergy on the transfer market.

“We know our targets and for me this is the most important thing. It is not important to speak outside but to keep the secret in this moment I think it is very important.”

Having refused to rule out Morata as a target, it’s highly possible that Chelsea could file a third bid for the striker. Two bids, worth £50m and £62.7m respectively, have already been turned down by the Spanish giants.

According to the Daily Mail, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku is still within Chelsea’s sights though and could be considered as a viable alternative to Madrid’s Morata if the Blues struggle to get hold of their man.