Arsenal have reportedly entered negotiations with Real Madrid over a potential record-breaking £51m transfer for Juventus striker Alvaro Morata, according to Corriere dello Sport (via The Independent).
The complicated "transfer triangle" centres around the fact that Morata had a buy-back clause inserted into his contract when he joined the Serie A giants in 2014, meaning the La Liga outfit can choose to buy him for a reported €30m (£23.6m).
But it is understood Real Madrid will actively try and sell him on again for a profit on the €30m they initially paid. Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing the 23-year-old and he could be an Arsenal man if Arsene Wenger chooses to pay the reported £51m Los Blancos are demanding.
The former Madrid academy graduate has admitted he is unsure over his future, but if Wenger can negotiate what will be a club record transfer, smashing the £42.5m the Gunners paid Real Madrid in 2013 for Mesut Ozil, Morata will become one of the "two or three players" he recently stated he wanted.
In spite of the reported willingness of the two parties involved, Arsenal negotiating directly with Real Madrid could create problems for both sides if Morata decides to reject the terms Arsenal are offering and stay in Spain.
If Real Madrid view that scenario as a realistic possibility, their 1st July release clause activation of his contract may be decided against and he could remain a Juventus player.
It is something Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta has rebuffed, however, stating the 23-year-old wants to remain a Juventus player. He has claimed the club will do everything in its power to keep the forward but admits the La Liga outfit hold all the cards in this transfer saga.
"Keeping Morata at the club is an important objective for us, but what happens at the Champions League final may have much to do with his future. We'll do all we can to fulfil his wishes to stay in Turin, where he feels he is at a club that is perfect for his career development," Marotta said.
"Morata's future doesn't solely depend on Juventus despite our desire for him to remain here, but the outcome of the conversations with Real Madrid will dictate his future."