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Morata: I will work with Conte

Cape Town - Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata admits he spoke to both Antonio Conte and Mauricio Pochettino during the off-season about a potential move to the Premier League.

The Spain international returned to Los Blancos from Juventus ahead of the current campaign, although he was heavily linked with Chelsea following Conte's appointment.

The Italian was responsible for bringing Morata to the Bianconeri, but they never got the chance to work together after Conte stepped down as manager days before the player's arrival in Turin.

The 24-year-old feels obligated to the Blues boss for giving him the opportunity to forge a successful career in Italy, and believes a reunion is inevitable - stating a preference for England and its capital if he does leave Madrid.

Asked about the 2016 transfer talk, Morata told the Guardian: "Various Premier League coaches called to tell me to play for them.

"I said I'd like to, that if I had to leave I would almost certainly go to London, but that I didn't know what Madrid would do.

"I spoke directly to Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte, although the norm is that clubs call my dad or my agent. Madrid said they didn't want to sell, so here I am.

"I'm very happy at Madrid and they support me. But if an offer like that came again and they want to sell, I shouldn't close doors. I loved Italy but if one day I have to leave, I'm sure it will be to the Premier League."

He added: "Conte is the manager who most bet on me, without even ever having had me in his team. I'm very conscious of that - he bet on me for Juventus but left before I arrived; then he wanted me at Chelsea come what may.

"I feel indebted to him because he's the coach that most trusted in me, most wanted me, who made me feel I could perform at the highest level. Yet I've never had the fortune to actually work with him. I'm sure sooner or later I will."

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