Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Alvaro Morata and Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid are reportedly on the cusp of reaching a potential tipping point in their pursuit of AS Monaco frontman Kylian Mbappe following speculation Alvaro Morata could complete a move to Manchester United this week.

According to Madrid-based newspaper Marca (h/t The Sun's Toby Gannon), it's "just a matter of days" until the Red Devils confirm Morata as their latest signing, with manager Jose Mourinho keen to reunite with the Real striker.

Mbappe is among the most highly coveted players on the market this summer, and although AS Monaco are likely to put up a fight to keep hold of him amid talk of a nine-figure valuation, Real look to be front-runners for his signature.

Morata is said to be moving to Old Trafford for a fee of £60 million, and Squawka's Greg Johnson has given the Red Devils his backing to make the transfer happen as a logical step:

Forward reinforcements are required after a serious knee injury brought a premature halt to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's time at the club, and Morata impressed with 20 goals across all competitions last term despite starting only 19 times.

Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News also recently provided an update on a backroom-staff acquisition for United that could work in their favour in the attempt to sign Morata, who worked under Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu:

Many in Madrid would prefer to have Mbappe as a striking option alongside Karim Benzema after the former rallied to a record of 26 goals in 44 starts last season, his first as a regular starter for Monaco.

The French Riviera outfit are doing all in their power to keep hold of the France international, though, and Sky Sports News reporter Kaveh Solhekol provided evidence as to just how fiercely they are willing to fight:

The funds gained from any Morata sale would be a major helping hand for Los Blancos in their efforts to satiate Monaco's transfer valuation and relinquish their hold over Mbappe, who doesn't turn 19 until December.

However, football blogger Dave O'Connell has highlighted the potential pitfall for Mbappe should he move to the Spanish capital at such a young age:

In any case, Morata's best hope of securing guaranteed first-team minutes appears to rest on a move away from the Bernabeu, where he risks another campaign of playing second fiddle to favoured man Benzema.

Los Merengues are already European champions and in one of the strongest eras in their history, with the addition of Mbappe threatening to make them an even more dominant outfit in time for next season.