Arsenal plan to hijack Chelsea deal for Alvaro Morata

Arsenal are reportedly planning to beat the likes of Chelsea and Manchester United in the race to sign Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata.

The Spain international is keen to pursue a fresh challenge after having been restricted of regular playing time this season.

Morata, who rejoined Los Blancos from Juventus last summer, has made just 13 La Liga starts this term with manager Zinedine Zidane opting to play Karim Benzema as the lone striker upfront.

According to The Sun, the former Old Lady striker could be on the move with the Premier League being his ideal destination for the summer transfer window.

Blues boss Antonio Conte is understood to be keen on signing the Spaniard, who he had previously recruited at former club Juventus, but the club's hierarchy do not appear to have a similar opinion.

The Premier League leaders are angling towards a move for former striker Romelu Lukaku - currently at Everton, and this could put the Gunners in a potential tussle with Jose Mourinho's Manchester United for the striker.

Mourinho had offered the Spaniard his first-team debut at Real Madrid in 2010, and he may seek to use his influence to lure him to Old Trafford ahead of a familiar foe in Arsene Wenger.

In spite of this, the Gunners do have a reasonable chance of signing the highly-rated striker, who could cost a club-record £50m fee during the upcoming transfer window.