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Transfer rumours: Alvaro Morata to Roma, Amad Diallo to Leicester, Demarai Gray to Crystal Palace

sportsmole.co.uk, 17 July 2023, 20:22
Roma are reportedly in discussions with Atletico Madrid over a potential summer deal to sign striker Alvaro Morata.

Following a two-year loan spell at Juventus, the 30-year-old returned to the Wanda Metropolitano for the 2022-23 campaign and scored 15 goals in 45 appearances for Diego Simeone's side across all competitions.

However, Morata is now facing an uncertain future in the Spanish capital as he has entered the final year of his contract, and a number of clubs in Europe and Saudi Arabia are believed to be monitoring his situation.

According to Sky Sports in Italy, Roma general manager Tiago Pinto has held a meeting with Atletico representatives to discuss Morata's availability this summer.

The report adds that Morata's current valuation of €21m (£18m) is considered too high for Roma, while Atletico are against selling or loaning the striker at present.

Morata - a 64-cap Spain international who has previously represented Real Madrid and Chelsea - has been identified as an attacking target by manager Jose Mourinho, who is in the market for a new centre-forward as Tammy Abraham is ruled out for the rest of this year with an ACL injury.

Over in England, Manchester United winger Amad Diallo is reportedly attracting interest from Championship club Leicester City.

The 21-year-old excelled during a season-long loan spell in the second tier with Sunderland in 2022-23, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists in 39 league appearances.

According to the Daily Mail, Leicester are keen to sign Diallo, but they are aware that they face stern competition from Premier League duo Burnley and Sheffield United.

The Foxes are in the market for a new winger as they expect Harvey Barnes to seek pastures new this summer, with Newcastle United, West Ham United and Aston Villa also said to be interested in the £40m-rated winger.

It is understood that Man United boss Erik ten Hag will not make a decision on the future of Diallo and a number of other youngsters until he assesses them all during their pre-season tour of the USA this month.

Staying in England and Crystal Palace have accelerated their pursuit of Everton winger Demarai Gray, according to a report.

The 27-year-old, who scored just four goals in 33 Premier League games last season, has been tipped to leave Goodison Park this summer as the cash-strapped Toffees can only sign new players if they generate funds from player sales.

Crystal Palace have been keepings tabs on Gray throughout this summer, and the Daily Mail claims that they have now intensified their interest in the Jamaica international, who has been identified as a potential replacement for Wilfried Zaha.

Zaha is currently training with the Eagles but he is now a free agent after seeing his contract at the club expire at the end of June, and the 30-year-old is believed to be weighing up multiple offers on the table from clubs across Europe and in Saudi Arabia.

Palace are also set to be without versatile winger Michael Olise for the start of the new Premier League season after he picked up a grade three hamstring injury while on international duty with France Under-21s last month.

Meanwhile, Queens Park Rangers have completed the signing of goalkeeper Asmir Begovic on a free transfer following his departure from Everton.

The 36-year-old has penned a one-year contract with the Championship outfit and will wear the No.1 shirt following the departure of Seny Dieng to Middlesbrough earlier this summer.

"This feels great. It's something that's been worked on the past few weeks and I am really excited to be here and can't wait to get started," Begovic told QPR's official website.

"Out of all the conversations I had with different clubs I really felt this was the right move for myself and my family.

"To see the positive reaction from the fans (on social media) was really exciting but now the hard work starts. We have to make sure we hit the ground running on the training ground and in friendlies to have a really good start to the season."

Begovic, formerly of Stoke City, Chelsea and Bournemouth, left Everton upon the expiration of his contract last month after making just 10 appearances for the Toffees in two seasons.

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