Report: Real Madrid to activate Morata's buy-back clause with £40M sale in mind

Real Madrid has decided to activate its £23.6-million buyback option on Juventus striker Alvaro Morata this summer with a view of selling him at a profit to one of Europe's top clubs, including Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain, according to the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano and Marcus Christenson.

Madrid sold Morata to Juventus in 2014 but included a clause that gave the La Liga side the choice of re-signing the Spaniard two years later. That time is about to come, and the Guardian reports the Madrid hierarchy is now looking to put Morata on the market for £40 million.

Arsenal and Manchester United have also expressed interest in the 23-year-old, who has 22 goals and 13 assists in two title-winning seasons with the Bianconeri.

Antonio Conte, the Italy boss who will take Chelsea's bench upon the conclusion of Euro 2016, is reportedly an admirer of Morata after initially helping to recruit him to the Turin club. But Conte left his post as Juventus manager several weeks later, never getting the chance to fully enjoy the signing.

Any move for Morata, however, would rest on the future of Diego Costa, who has been linked with a move back to Atletico Madrid.

PSG does have room for the Spain international, with the club's talisman, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, announcing Friday he'll leave the French capital in June. United and Arsenal, meanwhile, are looking for upgrades in the centre-forward position.

Juventus hoped Morata would remain in Italy. General manager Giuseppe Marotta said earlier this month that the striker "feels bonded to our club colours," while noting "Real Madrid have everything they need to change his mind."

Morata came through Madrid's youth ranks and ended up winning the Champions League in 2014.