Chelsea agree to sign Real Madrid striker

Premier League Champions Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, which could be the perfect replacement of Diego Costa.

The Blues had been desperately in need of a striker following Antonio Conte’s decision to tell last season’s top goalscorer Diego Costa that he was no longer needed by the club.

Antonio Conte’s side were initially interested in signing the 24-year-old Spanish international [Morata] at the start of the window, but allowed their interest to drop as they felt a deal for Romelu Lukaku was easier to get over the line – only for Manchester United to snatch the player from under their noses.

However, Conte’s interest has stretched back to last summer when Costa’s future was up in the air for the first time, with the Italian keen to sign the man he previously signed for Juventus in 2014.

In a short statement, the Blues said: “Chelsea Football Club and Real Madrid have agreed terms for the transfer of Alvaro Morata to Stamford Bridge.

With the deal, as reported by The Independent as a £78m fee, now agreed, the Blues will be free to allow Diego Costa to move to Atletico Madrid, although they are holding out for £44m for him.