Newcastle United are interested in signing Alvaro Morata this summer and have approached Atletico Madrid to discuss a potential transfer, which would make the striker the Toon’s 10th Spaniard so far.
Eddie Howe is eager to bolster his attacking arsenal during the off-season after the Magpies finished the Premier League season with the 12th-best offence. Newcastle players found the back of the net just 44 times, with only Brighton (42) and Wolves (38) scoring fewer yet finishing higher in the table.
Morata struck home nine goals and created another seven in Serie A this term during a second year on loan with Juventus. The 29-year-old also hit two goals in seven Champions League ties and one in five Copa Italia fixtures toward a combined haul of 12 goals and nine assists across 48 games in total.
Newcastle interested in Morata transfer as Juventus baulk at Atletico Madrid demands
Massimiliano Allegri saw Morata offer a sporadic goal threat in Turin this term as the forward held a prominent presence. He also proved a versatile option, having shifted to a predominantly wider role as Dusan Vlahovic joined from Fiorentina in January for €70m (£60m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons.
Juventus are open to now retaining the 54-cap international in a permanent transfer, but the Allianz Stadium hierarchy refuse to use their option to buy agreed in 2020. Calciomercato.it note the Turin natives have a €35m (£30m) clause, but only wish to pay a maximum of €20m (£17m) this summer.
Arsenal, Barcelona and Newcastle have also contacted Atletico Madrid to declare their interest and discuss terms for Morata’s potential transfer. But Gazzetta dello Sport, who also report Newcastle’s request for further information, note the Colchoneros remain hopeful of earning €35m this summer.
Newcastle could gazump Juventus with their interest in Morata, as the Bianconeri’s sporting director Federico Cherubini only wishes to open talks with Atletico Madrid with an initial €15m (£13m) bid. The Serie A side have also begun seeking replacements to save on his €5m-a-year (£82k-a/w) wage.
Morata joining Howe at St James’ Park would make him the 10th Spaniard to play for Newcastle. He could also unite with compatriot Javier Manquillo, who has made the third-most appearances for the club by a Spaniard so far with 104. So, how did the other eight Spaniards to play for the Toon fare?
Perez would be Morata’s target for most Newcastle appearances by a Spaniard amid interest
Ayoze Perez may be Morata’s target for the most Newcastle appearances by a Spaniard amid Howe’s interest in the Atletico Madrid striker. The Tenerife native played 195 times for the Magpies during a five year stay at St James’ after leaving his boyhood side in 2014 then joining Leicester City for £30m.
The Foxes triggered a release clause in Perez’s Toon contract in 2019, but have not seen the best the 28-year-old can offer. He has so far managed just 14 goals and 11 assists over 101 games, while also only starting 64 games. Perez had offered 48 goals and 17 assists while plying his trade on Tyneside.
Jose Enrique sealed Liverpool transfer in 2011 following four year Newcastle spell
Jose Enrique enjoyed four years with Newcastle between joining from Villarreal for £6.5m in 2007 and leaving for Liverpool in a £6m transfer in 2011. The left-back played the second-most Magpies games by a Spaniard during his time at St James’, making 129 appearances across all competitions.
He additionally offered United 11 assists during his time in black-and-white and also struck his only goal in the 2009/10 Championship title-winning season. Enrique went on to win the EFL Cup during his first season at Anfield, before returning to Spain with Real Zaragoza in 2016 and retiring in 2017.
Joselu endured mixed Newcastle career Morata would hope to avoid repeating amid interest
Joselu endured a mixed career with Newcastle that Morata would no doubt hope to avoid repeating amid Howe’s interest in raiding Atletico Madrid this summer. The Toon signed Joselu from Stoke City in 2017 for £5m, yet would later sell the forward to Deportivo Alaves two years later for just £2.5m.
The 32-year-old enjoyed his best moments in a Newcastle jersey during his first few months with the club. He scored against West Ham then sealed a 1-1 draw with Liverpool. Yet Joselu only managed to go on and score a further five goals and created two over his 52 appearances across all competitions.
Albert Luque enjoyed sole spell on English soil with Newcastle from 2005 to 2007
Albert Luque enjoyed his sole spell on English soil with Newcastle from 2005 to 2007 after moving to St James’ from Deportivo La Coruna for £10m. But despite spending two years on Tyneside, the 17-cap ace only scored three goals and created two across 34 games and started 15 before joining Ajax.
Mikel Merino impressed on loan but left Newcastle for Real Sociedad after one season
Mikel Merino impressed on loan from Borussia Dortmund during the 2017/18 season to merit a £6m permanent move. Yet come the end of the campaign, the midfielder was heading back to Spain after Real Sociedad triggered a £10m release clause in the five-year contract he had agreed with the club.
The Pamplona-born technician remains with Real Sociedad today under contract to 2025, has made 154 appearances and helped to win the Copa del Rey in 2020. He also made his senior Spain debut in September 2020 and is now a 10-cap talent. Yet his United record ended after just 25 appearances.
Marcelino enjoyed four years in England with Newcastle from 1999 to 2003
Marcelino Elena made his first and only move out of Spain when joining Newcastle from Mallorca in 1993 for £6m. But the centre-half frustrated St James’ chiefs with a relentless stream of injuries up to leaving in 2003 for Poli Ejido, having only featured 22 times with the Magpies and not since 2001.
Newcastle had Xisco on the books for five years but rarely only on the pitch
Newcastle had Xisco on the books for five years, but rarely enjoyed seeing the centre-forward on the pitch. He played just 11 games and only scored once – on debut against Hull City – after joining from Deportivo La Coruna for £5.5m in 2008. The Toon eventually released him in 2013 to join Cordoba.
Jesus Gomez took path from Atletico Madrid Morata may follow amid Newcastle interest
Jesus Gomez took the path that Morata may follow this summer amid Howe’s interest, having joined Newcastle from Atletico Madrid. The Toon signed the full-back after he left the Colchoneros in 2016, but Gomez would only manage 10 appearances and started six times in total before retiring in 2018.
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