Alvaro Morata to Chelsea: Real Madrid tell agent Spaniard is 'not for sale'

Real Madrid are ready to snub interest from Premier League sides in Alvaro Morato and keep the Spain international in Zinedine Zidane's ranks, according to AS. Chelsea presented an offer to the striker's agent earlier this week, but club officials have told the star to forget about any departure, amid reported interest from Arsenal and both the big Manchester clubs.

Morata has become one of the most sought-after players in the current transfer window, with many big European sides looking to bolster their attacking line with a traditional number 9.

Los Blancos originally looked likely to sell the player on for a huge profit, having re-signed him from Juventus just last month by activating a €30m (£25.3m, $33.3m) buy-back clause, included in his sale to the Serie A giants in the summer of 2014.

The player's agent, Juanma Lopez, said the 23-year-old had received offers from "top clubs in England" to move to the Premier League.

Manchester United and Manchester City had both been linked with his services, but in recent days it seemed that his future was further south, with both Chelsea and Arsenal battling for his signature.

Last week, The Mirror reported Arsene Wenger's men were the front-runners after Real Madrid set their asking price at £65m – more than double the figure they paid to Juventus just weeks earlier.

But AS have now suggested Real Madrid will keep Morata in their ranks for the new campaign.

The Spanish publication claims Morata's agent was at Real Madrid's offices on 11 July to present the club with an offer from Chelsea. However, club officials told him to forget about the move as they want his client to remain in Zidane's squad.

Some reports had suggested Real Madrid would cash-in on Morata to fund a move for Paul Pogba. However, reports in AS suggest Los Blancos have cooled their interest in the Frenchman.

The Spaniard may have other ideas though, having previously admitted that he wants assurances over a prominent role in any team he plays for. He previously left Real Madrid in the summer of 2014 having seen his playing chances blocked by Karim Benzema.