Arsenal were today handed a boost in their efforts to sign a new striker after Real Madrid revealed they are willing to listen to loan offers for Alvaro Morata, according to the Evening Standard. The Gunners have been notified that the Spanish club is willing to loan the 21-year-old out until the end of the season - with no option to make the move permanent. Arsenal had earlier placed Morata top of their January wishlist after a series of injuries robbed them of attacking options, with Theo Walcott now out for the season. Nicklas Bendtner is also sidelined until February, making the need to bring in a new forward all the more urgent. But after making an initial enquiry, Real delivered a hammer blow by insisting they had no interest in letting the Spain U-21 international leave the Bernabeu. However, Madrid have now altered that stance, and should the terms of the loan be agreed by both clubs, Morata could be at the Emirates by the end of the month. Carlo Ancelotti's side have likely softened their approach on Morata due to the starlet falling down the pecking order, with Jese Rodriguez the main back up striker for Karim Benzema. The player himself also made public this week his concerns over lack of playing time and confirmed he could seek a move away. Morata scored 45 goals in 83 appearances for the Real Madrid B team between 2010-13 but has found it difficult to adapt to the senior set-up since breaking through as a first team regular.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
