Express: Reds get striker boost

Real Madrid will not exercise their buy-back clause for Juventus ace Alvaro Morata, handing suitors Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal a massive boost in their pursuit of the forward.

Madrid sold Morata to Juve last summer for £15.8million with a clause in his contract set at around £25m.

But manager Carlo Ancelotti has expressed his willingness to waver the clause, leaving the Premier League trio to battle over the 22-year-old this July.

Ancelotti told Gazzetta dello Sport: "He's a young boy who was looking for more opportunities and consistency. He had a lot of offers, he's the one who chose Juve.

"He's a modern striker, he has pace, rhythm and intensity, he's cool in front of goal and is a hard worker.

"In Morata's contract there's a right of redemption [for us], but I think he'll stay at Juventus."

Morata is valued at over £25m and reportedly rejected a chance to move to Arsenal and United last summer.

He has scored nine goals this season, including five in his last nine outings.

United remain favourites to sign Morata as Radamel Falcao appears set to leave the club and head back to Monaco at the end of the season.

Source: Daily Express