Forget Hazard – Chelsea forward turn down surprise £88m La Laga transfer offer

Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata allegedly turned down the opportunity to join FC Barcelona in a surprise £88m move from La Liga giants Real Madrid during the summer transfer window.

Two Euro giants battle

The two sides meet in the UEFA Champions League this week Tuesday and Don Balon have claimed that Alvaro Morata was a transfer target for the Catalan side before he eventually moved to the Bridge this season.

The Spain international striker was not a regular figure former club Real Madrid and could have joined one of their major title rivals in a £88million deal, only to reject it as he didn’t think he would improve his playing chances at the Camp Nou, as per Don Balon.

Madrid was reluctant

The report further stated that Real Madrid were also not interested in selling to a direct rival, despite FC Barcelona offering more cash than the Blues, who eventually signed the 25-year-old forward for what BBC Sport suggested was a club transfer record £60m fee.

The forward probably made the right decision in terms of strengthening his playing chances by moving to the Premier League, though it’s fair to state things haven’t really gone the striker’s way for much of his spell in England.