Arsenal’s long-term interest in Alvaro Morata will come to an end when the player signs for Manchester United if you believe reports in the Guardian this weekend.

Arsenal have been linked with the former Real Madrid frontman long before his move to Turin, but after two seasons in Italy, his name is back on the gossip pages.

The Guardian claim that Real Madrid have decided that they WILL activate Morata’s £23.6m buy-back clause just so they can sell him on to whichever club has the deepest pockets, hoping to net around £40m for him.

FLORENCE, ITALY - APRIL 24: Alvaro Morata of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Juventus FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
FLORENCE, ITALY – APRIL 24: Alvaro Morata of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring a goal during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Juventus FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on April 24, 2016 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

They claim the striker would prefer a move to the Premier League over Ligue 1, with PSG interested, and to Manchester United under Mourinho ahead of Arsenal and Chelsea.

Arsenal will be looking to buy a striker but it’s set to be even harder for them this summer than in previous windows when it was apparently impossible.

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All the big-hitters will be looking to bolster their frontline and there are only so many top forwards available who would be willing to move.

Strap yourselves in for what could be a long, frustrating summer.

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