Atletico Madrid are holding firm on their asking price of €21 million for Inter Milan target Alvaro Morata.
This according to Sky Sport Italia transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio, who reports on his homepage that the Colchoneros intend to hold out for the full release clause of in order to sell the Spanish international.
Today, Inter met with the agents of Atletico Madrid striker Morata.
The Nerazzurri made their intention to try and sign the 30-year-old former Juventus, Chelsea, and Real Madrid man clear.
Inter both sounded out the player’s interest in a move, and also the conditions of a deal with Atletico.
Morata currently has a release clause in his contract worth €21 million. However, the Nerazzurri do not want to pay that amount to sign the Spaniard.
Reports suggest that the Nerazzurri’s offer will be closer to €15 million.
Meanwhile, there have been some reports of a new deal for Morata which would see the release clause drop as low as €12 million.
However, according to Di Marzio, the Spaniard’s agents have made it clear to Inter that there will be no discounts. Atletico want the full €21 million of his release clause if they are to sell Morata this summer.
Di Marzio reports that this is so that the Colchoneros do not take a capital loss on the striker.
Atletico Madrid Want Full €21M Release Clause For Morata – Inter Also Line Up Other Alternatives
According to Di Marzio, Inter are also firming up other targets should they miss out on Morata.
The Spaniard remains their first choice. But not necessarily at the fee set in his release clause.
The Nerazzurri could go in a very different direction from signing the experienced Morata by moving for Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun..
The 22-year-old US international would not be cheap, and is still at an early stage of his career. However, Inter feel that Balogun’s loan spell with Reims last season is enough evidence to invest in him.
Also on the Nerazzurri’s shortlist is Udinese striker Beto.
The 25-year-old does have a couple seasons of experience in Serie A, but is also five years younger than Morata.
Lastly, Di Marzio reports, Inter are also considering Porto and Iran striker Mehdi Taremi a target. The 30-year-old is not their first-choice by any means, but they are also keeping him in mind in their search.
