Transfer ban rules out Alvaro Morata return

Real Madrid’s transfer ban for the next two windows means any plans of persuading Alvaro Morata to return to the club are all but gone.

The 23-year-old left Los Blancos in 2014 for Juventus after failing to hold down a regular spot in the team or even establish himself as the man to step in for any of the BBC – Bale, Benzema or Cristiano – when they were unavailable.

In his opening season in Turin, the Madrid-born forward netted 15 goals in 46 appearances as he lifted the Seria A title and the Italian Cup. His goals in both legs of the Champions League semi final saw Real knocked out of the competition before the Italians were beaten by Barcelona in the final.

Rumours had surfaced that the 10-time Champions League winners had wanted to bring Morata back to the Spanish capital. The still hold a buy-back clause as part of the deal, but that expires this summer – the first transfer window in which Real are prevented from registering players.

There remains a possibility that Real could look to resign him a year later when the ban ends, but they would be looking at paying full price for the striker – and will have to compete with others if Morata is looking to move on from Juve.