Black & White & Read All Over - After two years with Juventus, Álvaro Morata is going back to Real Madrid"Alla Juventus vincere non è importante. È l'unica cosa che conta."https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47437/blackwhiteread-fave.png2016-07-06T13:00:12+02:00http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/rss/stream/115231152016-07-06T13:00:12+02:002016-07-06T13:00:12+02:00OFFICIAL: Álvaro Morata is going back to Real Madrid
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<figcaption>Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It has been over two weeks since Juventus director general Beppe Marotta <a href="http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/6/21/11986800/alvaro-morata-juventus-real-madrid-transfers-buyback-clause/in/11523115">confirmed that Álvaro Morata was heading back to Real Madrid</a>. The buyback clause was activated and all parties involved had acknowledged that the young Spaniard was on his way back to where it all began. Heck, <a href="http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/6/24/12025634/alvaro-morata-writes-farewell-letter-to-juventus-fans/in/11523115">we even got a goodbye letter from Álvaro</a> as a parting gift.</p>
<p>The only thing left was the official announcement where we got all of the financial details and other mumbo jumbo.</p>
<p>Come Wednesday, even before the new away jerseys could be thrown onto the racks, we got those numbers that we have been waiting to hear about for weeks now. From Juventus' press office, <a href="http://www.juventus.com/media/native/investor-relations-docs/english/price-sensitive-press-releases/2015-2016/comunicato%2006072016%20morata%20eng.pdf">the official details of the Morata buyback clause extravaganza</a>:</p>
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<p>Turin, 6 July 2016 -Following the exercise by Real Madrid Club de Fútbol of the option right to buy back the registration rights of the player Alvaro Borja Morata Martin, Juventus Football Club S.p.A. announces that the definitive disposal of the same player has been finalized for a consideration of € 30 million payable in two financial years, net of the amount still due by Juventus for the purchase of the same player (€ 10.7 million). This transaction generates a positive economic effect, in 2016/2017 financial year, for about € 16 million and a net positive cash flow of € 19.3 million in 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 financial year.</p>
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<p>Yes, that's the same €30 million price tag that was worked into <a href="http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2014/7/19/5883427/official-juventus-sign-real-madrid-alvaro-morata-serie-a-summer-transfers">the deal to bring Morata to Juventus two summers earlier.</a> So, in that aspect, it's something that we should have expected no matter how we felt about the deal.</p>
<p>But, with this announcement, we learned a couple of things we might not have known when Marotta initially confirmed that Real Madrid had picked up the option to bring Morata back to the club.</p>
<ul>
<li><span>Juventus still owe Real Madrid a figure of €10.7 million from the initial purchase two years ago.</span></li>
<li><span>Real Madrid activating the buyback clause will give Juventus a profit of €16 million.</span></li>
<li><span>Juventus will have an annual net profit of €19.3 million with Morata going back to Real Madrid.</span></li>
</ul>
<p>Learn something new everyday, don't you?</p>
<p>We all knew that Morata going back to Real Madrid was going to happen. But, like Marotta said in his initial confirmation, there were still things to be worked out and details to be finalized. That's fine. It's not like a €30 million buyback clause is supposed to be cut and dry. And as much as a lot of us wanted Morata to be back, now we get to see what Juventus do with this money. Maybe it's going toward somebody like Juan Cuadrado, or maybe it's just for an unknown quantity that the Italian press is about to let us know about. Things will happen, and soon we will surely discuss them.</p>
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<p lang="es" dir="ltr">Gracias, <a href="https://twitter.com/AlvaroMorata">@AlvaroMorata</a>... y suerte.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GraciasAlvaro?src=hash">#GraciasAlvaro</a> ⚫⚪<a href="https://t.co/wvWkhnHSPT">https://t.co/wvWkhnHSPT</a></p>
— JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) <a href="https://twitter.com/juventusfcen/status/750636843205398532">July 6, 2016</a>
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https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/7/6/12105214/official-juventus-real-madrid-alvaro-morata-2016-serie-a-summer-transfersDanny Penza2016-06-24T18:36:07+02:002016-06-24T18:36:07+02:00Alvaro Morata writes farewell letter to Juventus fans<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/Adz77/status/746288223274557440">Alvaro Morata writes farewell letter to Juventus&nbsp;fans</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>The sad acknowledgement that Alvaro Morata will indeed be returning to Real Madrid is upon us now. In the fine manner that he has carried himself during his two-year Juventus tenure, Morata has penned a letter to the fans, thanking them for the support and restating for once and all that he will always be Juventino.</p></p></div>
https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/6/24/12025634/alvaro-morata-writes-farewell-letter-to-juventus-fansCalvin2016-06-21T22:30:00+02:002016-06-21T22:30:00+02:00Real Madrid have activated Morata's buyback clause
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<figcaption>Paolo Bruno/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>After weeks of speculation about what could happen when it comes to Álvaro Morata's future in Turin, Juventus director general has now told us exactly what will happen. At least when it comes to Morata playing for Juventus again, that is.</p>
<p>Marotta has confirmed Tuesday that Morata will see his buyback clause activated by Real Madrid and head back to the Spanish giants this summer. Who knows where he may go from there with big-money bids reportedly on the table from England, but we now know for sure that he won't be playing his football next season with Juventus — and that's certainly going to be a disappointing thing for some of us.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"Real Madrid have exercised their clause for Alvaro Morata" says <a href="https://twitter.com/juventusfcen">@juventusfcen</a> dG Beppe Marotta, but is "waiting for the official offer"</p>
— Adam Digby (@Adz77) <a href="https://twitter.com/Adz77/status/745197359315980288">June 21, 2016</a>
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<p>Based on how things have gone this summer, this was always going to be the more likely of the potential outcomes that were possible. Whether he stays in Madrid or is sold off for a nice chunk of change, Real Madrid activating the buyback clause they worked into Morata's deal with Juventus two summers ago was becoming more and more likely the last few weeks. As much as Marotta and Juventus wanted to keep him around and have him continue to develop with the young core alongside Paulo Dybala and Paul Pogba, it just wasn't in their hands with the way the deal was constructed.</p>
<p>(Thus the problem with buyback clauses to begin with.)</p>
<p>This past season obviously didn't see Morata enjoy as much personal success as he did in his first year with Juventus when he became a regular starter after Max Allegri slowly integrated the young Spaniard into the lineup. He still performed well on the big stage, continuing his bright performances in the Champions League — yes, THAT game against Bayern Munich comes to mind — while he scored the game-winner against Milan in the Coppa Italia final.</p>
<p>We'll always have those memories, Álvaro. Now to discuss endlessly of how Morata will be replaced. Sounds like quite the "wonderful" way to spend the summer months.</p>
<p><i><b>UPDATE: </b>Real Madrid have confirmed that Morata will be heading back to Spain </i><a href="http://www.realmadrid.com/en/news/2016/06/official-announcement-morata" target="_blank">via a brief announcement on their official website</a><i>:</i></p>
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<p>Real Madrid C. F. have informed Juventus FC of their decision to salvage the federative rights on the player Álvaro Morata, who will join up with the first team for pre-season training under the command of Zinedine Zidane.</p>
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https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/6/21/11986800/alvaro-morata-juventus-real-madrid-transfers-buyback-clauseDanny Penza2016-06-01T02:00:02+02:002016-06-01T02:00:02+02:00Morata: I want to play and feel important
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<figcaption>Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The striker has been speaking to the press about his future. </p> <p>Alvaro Morata's future is no clearer today than it has been for the last few weeks, but the player has been talking to the media about what interests him, and it doesn't necessarily bode well for Juventus.</p>
<p>In an interview with Spanish daily <a href="http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2016/05/31/seleccion/1464648603_334008.html">AS</a>, Morata spoke about his time at the Binaconeri -</p>
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<p>"My two years at Juve had proved a very useful experience. I have won everything you can win in Italy, more than once, and reached the final stages of the Champions League.</p>
<p>"I have scored goals and grown as a player and a person. I believe I am a different player now than when I left Real Madrid. That kid who came out to run around the Bernabeu is a long way behind now, but above all I have shown I can play at a big club."</p>
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<p>He then went on to speak about wanting his future clarified before Spain's first Euro 2016 campaign against the Czech Republic on Monday, June 13.</p>
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<p>"It is uncomfortable to be here thinking about helping your country, with the phone in your hand. We will see what happens."</p>
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<p>Morata then expressed his desire for what he really desired -</p>
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<p>"I know exactly what I want to happen. I want to succeed at Madrid, but there are great players at Madrid. What I want is to play and to feel important. Next year I will play at the team where I have most chance of doing that."</p>
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<p>A good tournament at the Euros would probably inflate his price tag, and get even more attention from Premier League teams already vying for him -</p>
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<p>"A tournament should not count more than your past CV, but we all know how football is. Of course if you stand out at the Euros, if you score goals in important games, that can change things. You might not have had the best season, but if you score the winner in the Euros, everyone will notice.</p>
<p>"There are some tempting offers from England, but not just for the [big] contracts. I believe that for my style of play the Premier League would be a great destination.</p>
<p>"I am not saying I want to leave Juventus - I can only speak well of that team. I am saying that going to the Premier League would not be a step back, just the opposite. With what I have learned in Italy, if I have a chance to learn more in England, it would make me a better player.</p>
<p>"I am 23 and what I want is to progress, to play, to learn from the best and to have a good career."</p>
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<p>So there have you have it folks, it's still as clear as mud.</p>
https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/6/1/11818840/juventus-alvaro-morata-play-feel-important-real-madrid-premier-leagueCalvin2016-05-24T12:30:12+02:002016-05-24T12:30:12+02:00Marotta: 'We will clarify Morata's situation in two weeks'
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<figcaption>Marco Luzzani/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Staying true to <a href="http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/5/4/11592742/alvaro-morata-juventus-real-madrid-2016-serie-a-la-liga-transfers" target="_blank">what he said at the start of May</a>, Juventus director general Beppe Marotta told Tuttosport on Tuesday that the situation regarding Álvaro Morata's future will be resolved in short order. The only difference is that the future of the Spanish striker probably won't be known at the end of the month, rather a week into June at the very least.</p>
<p>That's mainly because of timetable Marotta outlined himself.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Morata? We'll clarify the situation in 10 days to two weeks. The will of the player will have some weight. Once we speak to Real, we'll consequently act on the market. We are monitoring several tracks (players), and let it be clear: We are looking for players worthy of Juve."</p>
<p>(Source: <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tuttosport.com%2Fnews%2Fcalcio%2Fcalciomercato%2F2016%2F05%2F24-11797526%2Fjuventus_marotta_esclusivo_morata_in_15_giorni_poi_difesa_e_centrocampo%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.blackwhitereadallover.com%2F2016%2F5%2F24%2F11759070%2Falvaro-morata-juventus-real-madrid-2016-serie-a-la-liga-summer-transfers" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">Tuttosport</a>/<a href="https://twitter.com/ADP1113">Twitter</a>)</p>
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<p>Seeing as Marotta has outlined what he has above, then it's probably at least somewhat realistic to think that the <a href="http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/5/24/11755916/alvaro-morata-juventus-real-madrid-2016-serie-a-la-liga-summer-transfer-rumors" target="_blank">reports out of Spain on Monday that Morata's agent was meeting with Real Madrid</a> have some truth to them. I mean, there's no way this thing is going to be resolved quickly and within the two-week window Marotta has now given us less all the parties involved are talking to one another at least somewhat regularly at the very least.</p>
<p>But, just like when Marotta told us that he wants things done swiftly and in a timely fashion, it shows us that he's not only wanting Morata's future to be resolved, but also to have plenty of time for Juventus to do business if the young Spaniard heads back to Madrid. It makes sense — something that Beppe seems to do a lot of the time. It's not like talented strikers in their early-20s in Morata's mold are a plentiful commodity. So, if Morata does end up leaving, then Marotta wants as much time as he possibly can to acquire a forward that will allow Juventus to continue this upward trajectory they are on.</p>
https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/5/24/11759070/alvaro-morata-juventus-real-madrid-2016-serie-a-la-liga-summer-transfersDanny Penza2016-05-24T02:10:39+02:002016-05-24T02:10:39+02:00Reports: Morata's agent is in Madrid to talk to Real
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<figcaption>Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>And so it begins. At least we think it's beginning.</p>
<p>The end of the season has no turned our full attention to Morata Watch. And the first sign that Morata Watch is going from just one thing to talk about to the thing to talk about is what we heard on Monday. That involves reports from both <a href="http://www.football-espana.net/58653/morata-agent-madrid-talks" target="_blank">Spanish radio station Cadena SER</a> and one of Spain's top sports dailies, <a href="http://en.as.com/en/2016/05/23/football/1464011853_107142.html">AS</a>, that Alvaro Morata's agent is in Madrid to hold talks with the club that Juventus bought him from two summers ago.</p>
<p>Yes, it's time for a whole lot of buyback clause drama, everybody. This is what AS has to say about it all:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Real Madrid's idea in principle is to exercise that option to buy Morata, but then to sell him on to the highest bidder. The cost of bringing Morata back to the Bernabéu will be 30 million euros, but the club are confident they can double that figure when selling him on. Morata moved to Turin two summers ago for a fee of 20 million euros.</p>
<p>If that is the case, Morata is keen on a move to the Premier League, where Arsenal have emerged as the main suitor for the Spain international's services. Reports suggest Arséne Wenger is extremely eager to add Morata to his squad and that the Emirates board have sanctioned a move for the striker, although there will be plenty of other clubs interested.</p>
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<p>At this point, the odds of Morata staying in Turin beyond the recently completed season look rather, hmmm, slim. Real clearly see an opportunity to cash in on an asset that they clearly don't see much need for at the club. And while a lot of us want Morata to stay in bianconero for many years to come, then maybe we shouldn't be getting our hopes up with the way that things are sounding right now.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.managingmadrid.com/2016/5/21/11728504/morata-will-leave-juventus-and-return-to-real-madrid-could-be-sold-shortly-after" target="_blank">As Lucas over at Managing Madrid said a few days ago</a>, "Real want to cash in some money."</p>
<p>I'll say <a href="https://twitter.com/JuventusNation/status/734497627429998592">exactly what I said on Twitter on Sunday</a> when that interestingly-timed "Adios Amigo" Instagram photo that may or may not be photoshopped popped up: It just sucks. Morata wants to stay, Juve wants him to stay. All Real Madrid wants is the money they'll make off selling him this summer.</p>
<p>Yeah, this sucks. I've come to the realization that this whole situation sucks and that buyback clauses tend to be nothing but a bunch of trouble. Hopefully, for everybody's sake, no matter what happens, this doesn't drag on for weeks and weeks and weeks. That won't help anybody — especially Juventus who, at this point, are probably going to need to find a striker to replace Morata.</p>
https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/5/24/11755916/alvaro-morata-juventus-real-madrid-2016-serie-a-la-liga-summer-transfer-rumorsDanny Penza2016-05-10T01:50:07+02:002016-05-10T01:50:07+02:00Marotta: Morata '50 percent' to stay, Isco move ruled out
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<figcaption>Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has been doing quite a bit of talking to the media lately. Seeing as there's been Max Allegri's contract extension announced and a season coming to a close, that's not necessarily a surprise. When a season comes to a close, that means it's all-out transfer talk, which Marotta obviously plays a big role in every summer.</p>
<p>One of the most frequent talking points he has discussed as of late is the future of striker Álvaro Morata, whose status is still up in the air as his buy-back clause with Real Madrid hangs over a lot of what Juve may or may not have to do this summer. And when speaking to <a href="http://gianlucadimarzio.com/en/eng/juventus-marotta-never-negotiated-with-roma-for-pjanic-50-chance-morata-stays/">GianlucaDiMarzio.com's Luca Mastrolilli on Monday</a>, the status of Morata — surprise, surprise, everybody! — was one of the things Marotta addressed.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Morata? We have to meet with Real Madrid but right now they are busy preparing for the final of the Champions League. We've postponed the talks until after the final. There is a 50% chance he will stay."</p>
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<p>And, as an added bonus, we have a comment about Morata's former Real Madrid teammate, Isco, too..</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"He will not come, we will discuss Morata with Real, but the months ahead are long. If Cavani can come? Our attack meets all requirements, made up of three players whom all arrived last summer. We're very happy with what they are doing and if a player like Morata leaves then we will evaluate what to do but I think that we will start next Serie A season with this arrangement."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Where to begin, where to begin, where to begin...</p>
<p>As Marotta has said in the past, Morata's history is more dependent on what Real Madrid wants to do more than Juventus' desires. It's obvious, at least from what he has said in recent weeks, that Marotta wants to keep Morata at Juve this summer, and that the player would be more than happy with that being the case. But because of that stinkin' buy-back clause being in play, everything is thrown for a loop.</p>
<p>The Isco matter, at least for now, eliminates one name from the rebooting of Juventus' hunt for a trequartista. The flat-out declaration from Marotta might be surprising to some considering that Isco's father and agent said less than a month ago that there <a href="http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/4/16/11440932/isco-real-madrid-juventus-2016-la-liga-serie-a-transfer-rumors?_ga=1.219035033.1052010191.1363762275">was some interest on Juventus' end</a> to try and sign the Spanish playmaker at some point this summer.</p>
<p>Either way, there will be business done with Real Madrid this summer. I guess it won't include Isco, if Beppe's words are to be believed (which they usually should be), but will include Morata. Let's just hope that there's a somewhat quick resolution. The last thing we need is for this to get dragged out like Morata's original move to Juventus two summers ago.</p>
https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/5/10/11645612/juventus-real-madrid-alvaro-morata-isco-beppe-marotta-2016-serie-a-la-liga-transfersDanny Penza2016-05-04T22:00:01+02:002016-05-04T22:00:01+02:00Marotta wants Morata's future resolved soon
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<figcaption>Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Beppe Marotta wants answers to Álvaro Morata's future, and he wants them soon.</p> <p>There comes a point in every transfer situation where some kind of resolution — good or bad — needs to be found. When it comes to Álvaro Morata's standing with Juventus, the club he has played for the last two seasons, director general Beppe Marotta could very well be reaching that point in relatively short order.</p>
<p>As we know, there's a buy-back clause in Morata's deal that brought him to Juve two summers ago to resolve. Time and time again Juventus have said that they want to keep the 23-year-old Spaniard for next season and years to come. But as Marotta outlined on Wednesday before Real Madrid took on Manchester City in the Champions League semifinals, there needs to be an answer to the situation — and in quick order, too.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"For Morata's future we have to wait for the outcome of tonight's Champions League semi-final between Manchester City and Real Madrid.</p>
<p>"Within the next three weeks, we need to reach a definitive agreement. If it's positive, we'll be happy, if it's negative then we have to evaluate new operations.</p>
<p>"He is valued at a few dozen million Euros, but I don't want to talk about figures because we'll talk in a wider context that could include other situations too."</p>
<p>(Source: <a href="http://www.football-italia.net/83840/marotta-morata-isco-gomes">Football Italia</a>)</p>
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<p>It's understandable why Marotta would say what he said. One-hundred percent true, too.</p>
<p>The obvious fact is for the simple fact that they don't want this whole "Will he stay or will he go?" situation to linger on into the deep summer months where any possible alternative plans would probably get blown up. I don't want to speak for Marotta mainly because I never have to begin with, but I would like to think that if they do need to find a replacement for Morata, the last thing they want to do is have just a few short weeks to try and do such a thing.</p>
<p>We don't know what Real Madrid truly want to do. We know what Juventus want, and it involves Morata staying in Turin and developing with the other components of the club's young core (Paulo Dybala, Paul Pogba, Alex Sandro, etc.) And rightfully so, Juve want an answer to something that has all the potential to linger deep into the summer if something doesn't happen in the timetable that Marotta so desires.</p>
https://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/5/4/11592742/alvaro-morata-juventus-real-madrid-2016-serie-a-la-liga-transfersDanny Penza