Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Alvaro Morata, Antonio Valencia Rumours

Manchester United have received a boost in the race to sign Juventus striker Alvaro Morata following reports he's eager to hook up with Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho. Meanwhile, Galatasaray are pushing ahead in their bid to sign Antonio Valencia.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Morata is "only interested" in playing at United or Chelsea, where he would be able to work under Mourinho or former Juve boss Antonio Conte, respectively (h/t Dan Gibbs of the Daily Express).

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Real Madrid are widely expected to exercise their €30 million (£24 million) buyback clause to re-sign Morata this summer before selling his services on to net a quick profit.

United may be only too willing to invest, too, as Gibbs added Mourinho's side are ready to pay £47 million for the Spain international. Gianluca Di Marzio translator David Amoyal has quoted the player, who has said he is happy in Turin:

First-team football is thought to be a high priority for Morata, who struggled to crack Real Madrid's senior XI before departing for Juventus two years ago, where he has since developed into a classy force.

Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe doesn't view the Premier League as an ideal fit for the 23-year-old, however, and instead identified Paris Saint-Germain—now without Zlatan Ibrahimovic—as the perfect fit:

Ibrahimovic could play a big role in deciding Morata's fate, too, after Samuel Stevens of the Independent reported Morata won't move to Old Trafford if the free-agent Swede does, presumably in fear of a lack of chances.

The Red Devils face a conundrum in where to divert their investments this summer, but Morata's apparent favouring of a Premier League move bodes well for United, UEFA Champions League football or not.

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On the departures list, it's been reported Galatasaray have been given the "green light" to make a move for United right-back Valencia, according to Turkish outlet Fanatik (h/t Daily Star's Alex Harris).

Valencia made just 22 appearances last season as he struggled to cope with injuries, but he made his comeback in time for United's FA Cup triumph, after which he helped illustrate his love for the Red Devils:

Harris cited a report from Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, which claimed Valencia is one of 12 players Mourinho is willing to sell this summer as he looks to revamp the squad from head to toe.

United have taken to utilising Valencia as a defender in recent years, but Galatasaray could restore the Ecuadorian to his former wing roots, although it's unclear how much the 30-year-old would cost the Super Lig giants.