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Arsenal wanted AC Milan striker but missed out on deal

Arsenal expressed an interest in a loan move for Alvaro Morata in the January transfer window, but Galatasaray ultimately won the race for the striker.

ZAGREB, CROATIA: Alvaro Morata of AC Milan controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8 match between GNK Dinamo and AC Milan at Stadion Maksimir on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images)
Photo by Jurij Kodrun/Getty Images

James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that Arsenal met with Alvaro Morata’s agent during the January transfer window and expressed an interest in the player.

The Gunners were considering a loan deal for Morata, who is currently contracted to AC Milan. Milan were willing to do business, but Galatasaray stole in and won the race for the striker.

Galatasaray were also after a loan move, though they reportedly have an option to buy in Morata’s contract. Perhaps that helped the Turkish club in the race, as they showed a desire to keep the player around for the long term if things go well.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 01: Sokratis Papastathopoulos of Arsenal and Alvaro Morata of Chelsea during the Pre-season friendly International Champions Cup game between Arsenal and Chelsea at Aviva stadium on August 1, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

McNicholas reports that the primary distinguishing factor between the two clubs was that Galatasaray were emphatic on doing a deal immediately, whilst Arsenal delayed to consider their options.

Morata obviously wasn’t Arsenal’s first-choice target at centre-forward, with the likes of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko filling that role, and a bid for Ollie Watkins late in the window.

So, whilst the Gunners were evidently open to a move for the Spanish striker, they wouldn’t have wanted to jeopardise a potential deal for a key target, either now or in the summer. Ultimately, that hesitation meant they ended up with no one.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 02: Mikel Merino of Arsenal challenges Alexander Isak of Newcastle during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Arsenal FC at St James' Park on November 02, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images

Morata has scored six goals and assisted two in 26 appearances this season, including his debut from the bench for Galatasaray on Monday.

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