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Juventus director: Real Madrid will exercise Morata clause

Reuters

Juventus seems resigned to losing talented striker Alvaro Morata this summer, with Real Madrid destined to activate a €35-million buyback clause that would see the Spaniard return to the Santiago Bernabeu.

Club director Beppe Marotta, speaking at Juventus' new medical facility on Tuesday, said he expects the protracted saga of the forward's future will ultimately see him back in Spain.

"Real Madrid are going to exercise their right to buy him back," Marotta said in quotes reported by ESPN FC's Selene Scarsi. "We're just waiting for them to get in touch and then we'll see, but the chance of him staying is slim."

Morata scored 12 goals with the Italian side in all competitions last season despite primarily playing second fiddle to Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic, and has been one of the hottest names on the transfer market this summer.

Real Madrid has reportedly explored the option of selling him off to the highest bidder after reacquiring his services from Juventus, though a strong showing with Spain at Euro 2016 could alter those plans. Morata is coming off a brace in his last contest against Turkey.

Should Juventus ultimately lose the 23-year-old, that void could potentially be filled by Domenico Berardi, the burgeoning Sassuolo star who has long been linked with a move to the Bianconeri.

Inter was said to also be interested in Berardi, but Marotta doesn't foresee the 21-year-old attacker pulling on the black-and-blue kit of Juventus' fiercest rival.

"I don't think so - he's already made his mind up to follow a different path," Marotta said. "We've spoken about him staying at Sassuolo and we have a great, friendly relationship with them."

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