Manchester United's Morata bid rejected

Manchester United are wasting no time in preparing for next season, where they will look to once again become serious contenders for the Premier League title. Their latest bid has seen them offer £52 million for Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata, which the Spanish giants have rejected instantly. 

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic out with a serious knee injury and Wayne Rooney looking set to leave Old Trafford this summer, manager Jose Mourinho is on the lookout for a new striker to lead the Manchester United front line. 

Spanish striker Morata has been identified as an appropriate man to do that by United, which is enhanced by the fact that he looks set to leave Real Madrid during this transfer window, 

There was speculation that Manchester United would use goalkeeper and long-term Real Madrid target, David de Gea, as part of a deal, but Sky sources report that The Red Devils made a £52 million cash offer for Morata. 

Real Madrid have dismissed this offer and will attempt to hold out for a fee of £78.6 million. If an agreement cannot be reached, Torino striker Andrea Belotti is believed to be the second option. 

Although the fee wanted by the La Liga giants seems excessive, particularly for an out of favour player, it would still be lower than that required to reach Belotti's release clause or the figure that Everton want for Romelu Lukaku.