New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is ready to rival Real Madrid for the signature of Juventus striker Alvaro Morata this summer, recent rumors said.

The 23-year-old Spain international, who is competing with the national squad in the ongoing 2016 Euro, has a buyout clause in his current contract with Juve that could be activated by Los Blancos whenever they want. The clause was part of the deal that sent Morata from the Bernabéu to Turin in the summer of 2014 for a transfer fee of £15 million.

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Morata has been superb in his two seasons with the Old Lady, scoring 27 goals in a total of 93 appearances in all competitions, which attracted the interest of a lot world-class clubs, particularly in the English Premier League.

It would cost Real £25 million to activate the buyback, but they are rumored to be planning to sell him to either Chelsea or arsenal for £48 million, which would be a huge profit.

However, the Red Devils and their new boss, Mourinho, are said to be hoping "to beat Real Madrid to Juventus striker" Morata, according to the Independent.

The article said that the deadline of the buyout activation opportunity for Real will be on July 15 and United has until then to decide whether they will make their own offer to Juve for the Madrid native or they will just wait if Los Vikingos will really activate the clause or not.

Meanwhile, AS English noted that United is planning to give Morata a major wage increase should he decide to join the club this summer.

At the moment, he is said to be earning £3.5 million annually with the Turin residents and the Red Devils are prepared to make it at least £5 million per year after tax, the same amount that Madrid is allegedly planning to pay him should they decide get him back and keep him.

Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain are also said to be interested in Morata and could give him an even higher payday, but the 6-foot-2 striker is said to be keen on playing only for either Real, United, or Chelsea if Juve will push through with his sale.

Tags Football Transfer Rumors, Football Transfer Rumors 2016, Manchester United, Alvaro Morata, real madrid, Juventus FC