Arsenal make 'offer' for Alvaro Morata with Juventus also eyeing up a bid

Arsenal have reportedly made an offer for Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his forward line this summer.

Reports in Italy from Tuttomercatoweb claim the Gunners have launched a bid for the 29-year-old, while Juventus are also keen on the player. Morata has just finished the final of his two-year loan spell at the Italian giants after joining them from Atletico in 2020.

The Spain international scored 32 goals in 92 appearances for the Old Lady, who hope to keep them there if the price suits them. It is something Juventus are working on following Paulo Dybala's departure this month.

But now, the Gunners have entered the race for his signature after Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang left back in January and Alexandre Lacazette re-joined Lyon on a free transfer. They are hoping to add an experienced forward to their ranks with Eddie Nketiah their only senior striker after he penned a new five-year contract on Saturday.

Morata has been named as a potential target and Arsenal have now made an offer, although the source added that the nature of the bid has not been made clear. The Gunners are presumably looking to take advantage of Juventus' hesitation with the Italian club stalling on a deal with funds key for other signings.

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Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus continues to be linked with a move to Arsenal, and despite their interest in Morata, Arteta still sees the Manchester City attacker as their top transfer priority. They have already had a £35m bid turned down for the forward with City valuing the player at a higher price.

City reportedly want around £50m for Jesus, who has one year left on his contract but will be allowed to leave the reigning Premier League champions this summer. The Brazilian has scored has scored 95 goals in 236 games since joining City in a £31m transfer from Palmeiras in 2017.

Negotiations are expected to continue at pace for Jesus' signature, and Arsenal are keen to get the deal done as soon as possible, so they can focus on other transfer targets. It is claimed Jesus is keen to reunite with Arteta, despite the fact the Gunners cannot offer him Champions League football.

Jesus netted eight times and provided nine assists in the league last season as City lifted their fourth title in five seasons. His four-goal haul against Watford in April was particularly impressive, while he also struck the winner in a crucial 1-0 success at Chelsea earlier in the campaign.