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Report: Morata set to join Atletico Madrid on loan

Clive Rose / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Following a slow start to the January transfer window, the dominoes are beginning to fall at a rapid pace.

Moments after The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano reported that Gonzalo Higuain is nearing a loan move to Chelsea from Juventus, the Italian journo now alleges that Alvaro Morata, the odd man out at Stamford Bridge, is on the verge of returning to his hometown to join Atletico Madrid on loan.

Morata, 26, has long been associated with a transfer away from Chelsea on the throughout a mercurial year-and-a-half in the English capital. The 27-time capped Spanish international has registered 16 league goals in 47 outings for the Blues, but his role has diminished this season under Maurizio Sarri as the gaffer favors Eden Hazard as the centerpiece of a fluid three-man attack.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone will be blessed with a bevy of attacking options at the Wanda Metropolitano, with Morata set to join a troop that includes Antoine Griezmann, former Chelsea point man Diego Costa, and Croatian Nikola Kalinic.

Morata spent two seasons as a part of Atletico's youth setup before joining Getafe in 2007. He then moved to Real Madrid's famed La Castilla reserve team before breaking through with the big boys in 2010.

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