Alvaro Morata nearing move to second-tier Leganes from Como

Alvaro Morata is close to joining Spanish second-tier club Leganes from Como after agreeing to the possibility of returning to Madrid during the summer transfer window.

A move which appeared almost impossible only a few hours earlier is now regarded as increasingly likely, according to Spanish newspaper Marca. Morata has welcomed the idea of playing for Leganes, while those close to the Spain striker are also understood to support a return to the capital.

The two clubs are working to complete the transfer, with Como prepared to make Morata’s departure easier out of respect for the player’s wish to take on a new challenge.

Leganes president Eduardo Cossio and sporting director Andres Pardo are working intensively to reach a final agreement with the forward.

If completed, Morata would become the headline signing in a major rebuild of the Leganes squad. The club could bring in as many as 11 new players during the current transfer window.

The activity reflects wider changes at Leganes following a change in ownership. Decisions are being made more quickly, while the sporting department has been given greater freedom to operate in the transfer market.

Morata would represent one of the biggest signings in Leganes’ history, both in terms of his reputation and his experience. The 32-year-old remains a highly regarded striker in European football and was an important member of the Spain national team for several years.

His career has included spells with some of Europe’s leading clubs, and his arrival would give Leganes a player with significant experience at the highest level. The proposed move would therefore stand out well beyond the club’s current position in Spain’s second tier.

The deal is not yet complete, however, and the final administrative and procedural steps still need to be resolved. Unless those issues prevent the transfer from being concluded, Leganes will be on the verge of one of the most prominent moves in its history.

The possible signing also carries an unusual twist. Several years ago, Leganes used its social-media accounts to publish a joke about signing Morata. That joke now appears close to becoming reality.

Como are willing to facilitate the striker’s exit, while Leganes continue negotiations aimed at securing his return to the Spanish capital. The proposed transfer would make Morata the centrepiece of the club’s squad overhaul and one of the most high-profile players to join a team competing in the Spanish second division.