Conte eyes Morata as Diego Costa replacement

Chelsea have reportedly identified Spain international forward Alvaro Morata as a summer transfer target, according to the Mirror.

The Premier League side, who drew 1-1 at Anfield on Tuesday night against Liverpool to move nine points clear at the top of the standings, have been linked with a move for the Real Madrid striker after the current 2016-17 campaign.

The 24-year-old, who has 18 international caps for his country and featured for Spain at UEFA Euro 2016 last summer, has scored 10 goals and provided four assists in 27 appearances in all competitions for the La Liga giants so far this season.

Morata, who return to the Bernabeu back in June 2016 after two years with Serie A champions Juventus, where he netted 27 times in almost 100 games, is wanted by Blues boss Antonio Conte to boost his frontline options next term.

He lifted the UEFA Champions League with Madrid in 2014, before winning the European elite competition again the following year with Juve.

The Chinese Super League will once again be keen to lure Chelsea forward Diego Costa to Asia, with Conte keen on Morata replacing the fellow Spaniard at Stamford Bridge.