Alvaro Morata to Real Madrid: Latest Transfer Details, Reaction and More

Alvaro Morata has rejoined Real Madrid from Juventus after Los Blancos activated his buyback clause on June 21. The fee is thought to be €23 million, per BBC Sport.

Juve general director Giuseppe Marotta announced Madrid's intention to exercise the buyback clause in Morata's contract, according to Spanish publication Marca (h/t Press Association Sport, via Sky Sports).

The Spanish club confirmed their plan to bring the 23-year-old back to the nation's capital, per their official website: "Real Madrid C.F. have informed Juventus FC of their decision to salvage the federative rights on the player [Morata], who will join up with the first team for pre-season training under the command of Zinedine Zidane."

On July 6, the Bianconeri officially confirmed the news as well:

In a statement on their website, the Serie A champions wrote: "Juventus Football Club can today confirm that [Morata] will return to Real Madrid after two seasons in Turin following the Spanish outfit’s decision to activate the forward’s buyback clause."

There had been a thought Los Merengues wanted Morata to sell on for a larger fee, especially since he's attracted Premier League interest. Yet, one side from England's top flight, Arsenal, were put off by the prospective £60 million price tag, according to John Cross of the Daily Mirror.

Even so, there are still teams likely to be keen on Morata if Real do choose to turn him into a quick profit after he showed some of the talent that's attracted suitors during a productive yet injury-interrupted final season with Juventus.

The 23-year-old scored 12 times and provided nine assists for the Serie A giants, according to WhoScored.com, including the decisive strike in the Coppa Italia final.

His form reportedly interested Arsenal, as well as Chelsea and Manchester United. The Gunners seemed to have the advantage, per Jamie Sanderson of the Sun, who reported the north London side would offer wages of £155,000 per week to fend off the competition.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

There was also interest outside of the Premier League, with Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain said to be keen, per the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano and Marcus Christenson.

But any interested parties had to wait on Morata's first club and their plans for him. Los Blancos seem to still view Morata as a viable talent they can develop.

What Morata can offer Real is natural target-man qualities. He's a force in the air and can hold the ball up and link well with attacking midfielders.

It's the kind of work Karim Benzema often does, but perhaps Los Blancos' hierarchy now believes Morata has developed well enough to occupy that vital role.

While his form in front of goal is hardly prolific, Morata has the potential to grow as a finisher. Unlike most big men, the Spaniard boasts the pace to stretch a defence, but he just needs to develop and master some specific finishes to build his confidence when chances come his way.

After initially being overlooked by Real, Morata can prove he merits much more by making a fast start to life back at his old club. He has the talent to make the grade for the 11-time European champions.