Arsenal Transfer News: Wenger Suffers Blow in Morata Chase

Arsenal's hopes of luring Alvaro Morata from the Santiago Bernabeu this summer have suffered a huge set-back after Real Madrid lost forward Jese for at least six months with a long-term injury.

Carlo Ancelotti has used Jese ahead of Morata to support Karim Benzema up front this season, with the Arsenal target starting just one La Liga game.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti blocked Morata's exit to the Emirates Stadium during the January transfer window, arguing that he needed two strikers to cover Benzema.

But with Morata reportedly forcing his exit due to his lack of match action, recent reports claimed that Ancelotti was considering signing another forward and finally letting the youngster move to Arsenal at the end of the season.

Nevertheless, Ancelotti's plans may change again after Jese suffered a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the Champions League match against Schalke.

The Real Madrid forward faces at least six months on the sidelines so he will not be ready for pre-season, and will probably not be fully fit to return to action until October or even November.

Reports in Spain claimed earlier this month that Morata has already agreed terms to join Arsenal at the end of the season, but now that he will be the only cover for Benzema for the remainder of this season and the beginning of next, Ancelotti may block his summer exit again.

Morata again proved his quality in the 3-1 victory over Schalke, scoring the third goal of the game and being crucial in the opener.

The Arsenal target has not started a game in La Liga since October but he keeps taking his chances every time Ancelotti lets him play. Indeed he has scored three goals in just 241 La Liga minutes and one in 119 Champions League minutes.