Chelsea have reportedly told Atletico Madrid to stump up £50million to make Alvaro Morata's move permanent this summer - or they'll cancel his loan.
Morata returned to Spain in January by joining Atletico Madrid on an 18-month loan spell, having endured a tough time in the Premier League.
The Spain international, who counts Juventus and Real Madrid among his former teams, moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2017 in a club-record £57million deal but struggled to adapt to English football.
However Chelsea reportedly have the option to recall the striker this summer and are considering activating that clause.
The Telegraph has claimed that the Blues are seriously looking at that option due to the two-window transfer ban that is looming over the Stamford Bridge club.
The Blues are unable to register new players and following the exit of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, they are desperate to have options up top next season.
It is claimed that the club have warned their Spanish counterparts to pay £50m to make Morata's switch permanent or they'll bring him back to west London.
It remains to be seen whether Atletico will be keen to do so, given they are on the brink of signing Portuguese starlet Joao Felix from Benfica for a whopping £112m.
Morata made an impression after arriving at Madrid, scoring six goals during the second half of the season, but the news will no doubt be a concern for him.
Morata recently claimed that he was never loved by Chelsea or their fans – and is eyeing a permanent stay at Atletico Madrid.
He said: “I didn't quite feel loved or appreciated by the club or the fans. I started very well at Chelsea, but an injury in the end leaves you a bit stuck.
“It’s a story I'd like to tell in the future. I went from being tied on the same amount of goals as Mohamed Salah and Harry Kane at the start of the first year, and people made a song about me. I could not even go out in London.
“One day I get up with a shooting pain in my back, my level goes down, and they start telling me everything. You are supposed to be respected by fans.
“I want to stay at Atletico but, contractually, Chelsea can call me back.
"We will see what happens in the negotiations, but the two clubs already know what I want. I only ask, please, as I said to Atletico, do everything possible to do it as soon as possible. I just want to be here.”
