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Juventus' Alvaro Morata: Real Madrid return is 'a real possibility'

Alvaro Morata has said he does not know if he will remain at Juventus beyond this summer, saying a return to Real Madrid is a "real possibility."

Juve signed Morata from Madrid in 2014 and the Spain international extended his contract until 2020 in December, but Los Blancos retain a buy-back clause.

The 23-year-old has said on several occasions that he is happy at Juve and not seeking a return to Madrid, but he has now told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope that he may have no option.

"I would like to know where I will play next year," he said. "My future doesn't depend on me.

"I'm happy at Juve but it doesn't depend on me. I don't even know where I can buy a house. To go to Madrid is a real possibility -- the contract and the documents say so."

Morata, a Madrid youth product, made 37 first-team appearances in four seasons with the Spanish giants.

Juve director general Giuseppe Marotta has expressed concern that Los Blancos will exercise their option to re-sign Morata in order to then re-sell him for a profit.

"The right to buy Morata back, which Real Madrid have is the 'sword of Damocles' hanging over our heads," Moratta said. "We're suffering as a result, but that's the way it is.

"First of all there has to be an agreement between Real Madrid and Juventus. The only thing I will say is that we bought a promising young player who has turned into the real deal and we are very proud to have him here at our club.

"We will discuss Morata's future with Madrid in the near future. If possible, we would like him to stay here with us".

The agreement between the two clubs states that Madrid can reacquire Morata's registration rights at the end of the 2015-16 or 2016-17 campaigns, at predetermined values, up to a maximum of €30 million. The deal can be completed prior to July 15.

Spanish newspaper AS has reported that Arsenal are interested in Morata and would be willing to pay €50m to sign him.

In the meantime, Morata wants to continue to grow in Italy, helping Juve clinch another title, saying: "Since I arrived at Juve, my body has changed a lot.

"In Italy, you are made to work and you train a lot. [Former Juve striker Carlos] Tevez told me that after playing in Italy you can play in any league."

He also discussed the goals he scored against Madrid as Juve eliminated his former club in the Champions League semifinals.

He struck the equaliser at the Bernabeu to earn Juve a 1-1 draw, which secured a place in the final, where they lost 3-1 to Barcelona.

"The goal that I scored against Madrid was destiny," he said. "I would have preferred that Real Madrid had won had I known that I wasn't going to win the final.

"It was a pity, that goal, because the four months after when I stepped in Madrid I was getting knocks from everywhere."

Morata, who has scored 14 goals in 57 appearances for Juve, said he has a good relationship with Real Madrid director Emilio Butragueno.

"I speak to him very often. He does a crucial job which is not always valued," the striker said. "He sends me messages after scoring a goal or when I have a good game."