Chelsea have opened talks with Real Madrid over Alvaro Morata, finding out what the deal would be to take him to Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League champions have been forced to re-think their attacking strategy this summer after Manchester United snatched first choice Romelu Lukau from under their noses.

Football INDEX Talk – Alvaro Morata has dropped down to £3.44 – looks a very good buy to us…CLICK HERE to play and start winning

Morata, who ironically, was in talks with United about a move to Old Trafford before the Lukaku deal came off – is very keen to move to England, and sources close to him have indicated he would be more than happy to move to Chelsea.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is far from happy at missing out on Everton ace Lukaku, who was seen as the natural replacement for Diego Costa – who has been told that he has no future at the club.

Costa’s behaviour during the January transfer market made up Conte’s mind that he was not a player he wanted at the club long-term and has made it clear that he does not want him around this summer, and they are in talks to sell him back to former club Atletico Madrid – who could not use him until 2018 due to their transfer ban.

Conte also still wants Fernando Llorente from Swansea as another striking option. He managed him at Juventus and thinks he would be an ideal option in the squad – but he knows the club need a big name addition too.

Now Chelsea are looking around the at their options, but with Morata known to be available – at the right price – they have not opened dialogue with the European champions about the 24-year-old.

Bookmakers are very much leaning to Chelsea being the next landing point for Morata – with BetVictor making them 1/2 favourites to land him.

We spoke with BetVictor’s Head of antepost Football Michael Triffitt about the Morata market.

“After missing out on Romelu Lukaku , Chelsea are now 1-2 favourites ,after opening at 5/1, to capture Alvaro Morata from Real Madrid,” he told us.

“The Champions also face losing Diego Costa and with Champions League commitments this season, the squad is starting to look a little threadbare with new recruits looking a must.”

Football INDEX is a stockmarket game where players, known as Traders, take a position on the “future success” of footballers with real money – CLICK HERE to play and start winning