Real Madrid Transfer News: Alvaro Morata Blow, Latest Robert Lewandowski Rumours

Real Madrid have received a double blow in their hunt for a new forward. Alvaro Morata has signed a contract extension with Juventus, while the lack of a release clause in Robert Lewandowski's deal means Bayern Munich will hold out for a massive transfer fee.

As reported by Juventus' official website, the Bianconeri and Morata have agreed on a new contract, set to expire in 2020. ESPN FC's David Amoyal revealed Los Blancos' buy-back clause remains unchanged, but Morata's renewed commitment to the Italian giants is a bad sign, nonetheless:

The 23-year-old left the Spanish capital for Juventus in the summer of 2014, but Real were smart enough to insert a buy-back clause into the deal. That seemed like a stroke of genius when Morata discovered his best form toward the end of the 2014-15 campaign and scored in both legs of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against his former club.

He refused to celebrate both goals, a clear sign he still loves Real, but since then, he has dropped several hints he may not be keen on a return to Spain.

FourFourTwo's Adam Digby shared these comments from the player, made during an interview with Radio Marca:

The buy-back clause Real have is useless if Morata refuses to return to Spain, and Juventus will do everything they can to keep hold of the talented forward as well. A contract extension is a good start, a clear sign the club is willing to be patient with the Spain international, who has struggled early in the 2015-16 campaign.

Mario Mandzukic has started alongside Paulo Dybala in the majority of Juventus' recent matches, as Morata has lost his shooting boots. Per WhoScored.com, he hasn't scored since a 3-1 win over Bologna in October.

But he remains one of Europe's most talented young forwards, combining excellent vision and instincts with surprising athleticism. Morata doesn't look particularly fast out on the pitch, but as you can see below, he routinely beats defenders with pace when he needs to:

Current Real striker Karim Benzema has been in strong form since returning from injury, but his involvement in an ongoing blackmail scandal has cast serious doubts over his future with the club, per Fichajes (h/t Metro's Mark Brus).

Even if the Frenchman stays with Los Blancos, Real could use additional depth at the striker position. Benzema and Jese Rodriguez are both fantastic options, but ideally, Real would like to add a third forward to the mix.

Lewandowski wouldn't be joining Los Blancos as a depth option, but as a bona fide ace striker who would be a direct replacement for Benzema. Unfortunately, he seems unlikely to leave Bavaria anytime soon, as his current contract doesn't include a release clause and Bayern Munich have no intention of selling him on the cheap, per AS' Marco Ruiz.

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According to Ruiz, the Polish striker's agent desperately tried to insert a release clause into his contract, but those clauses are not mandatory in Germany. Bayern refused, and given his sensational form of late, they are now in a position to hold out for a monstrous transfer fee. Lewandowski's contract runs until 2019.

As shared by football blogger Christian Nyari, the 27-year-old is in the midst of another fine campaign:

Lewandowski may be the best pure striker in Europe right now, vying for the title with Barcelona's Luis Suarez. The Poland international is a menace to defend in space, moves very well inside the box, holds his own in the air and has lethal finishing ability.

His finest moment of the season came in the Bundesliga match against Wolfsburg, where he combined all of these traits to score an incredible five goals in just nine minutes:

Lewandowski seems very comfortable in the Bundesliga, and Bayern aren't in the habit of selling their top stars while they're in their prime. A transfer seems unlikely, despite Real's seemingly unlimited resources.

Ultimately, it will come down to whether Lewandowski wants to leave Bayern. He has won countless trophies with Die Roten already, and if he feels up for a new challenge, Los Blancos could enter negotiations with Bayern from a position of strength.

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