Arsenal leading Chelsea in Alvaro Morata chase

Arsenal have the upperhand over Chelsea in the race to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata. The Spaniard would prefer a move to the Emirates due to the presence of Champions League football.

The 23-year-old recently returned to the Bernabeu after Real Madrid activated the buy-back option placed during his Juventus contract in 2014.

A report from The Mirror says the Gunners could be the preferred destination for Morata, who has the desire to participate in the Champions League next season.

Nevertheless, the club still have a long route to the player with the European champions having placed a fresh £65m price tag on their asset.

Morata was part of the Spanish side that lost out to Italy at the round of 16 of the European championships.

Arsene Wenger's side are also in talks with Lyon over a proposed deal for French forward Alexandre Lacazette.