Alvaro Morata was not the third-choice signing as he was at all times a precedence for Juventus, insists head coach Andrea Pirlo.
Spain striker Morata sealed his return to Turin on an preliminary season-long deal from Atletico Madrid, with Juve retaining an choice to make the deal everlasting for €45million or pay a further €10m to mortgage him for an additional marketing campaign.
Juve had been tipped to signal Luis Suarez from Barcelona earlier than the deal broke down and he joined Atleti, whereas Edin Dzeko was additionally linked with a transfer from Roma.
However Morata arrived as an alternative to fill a void left by Gonzalo Higuain’s departure to Inter Miami, with the 27-year-old having left to re-join Actual Madrid in 2016 and subsequently spending time at Chelsea and Atleti.
Pirlo, who began his teaching profession with a convincing Three-Zero win over Sampdoria final week, stated the actual fact he beforehand performed alongside Morata was an enormous draw.
“We have been ready for a striker and he arrived,” he instructed a information convention forward of the Serie A conflict towards Roma on Sunday.
“Alvaro Morata is aware of us nicely and I used to be lucky sufficient to have performed with him.
“He was not a 3rd selection however certainly one of our priorities, from a technical and tactical side he’s what we have been searching for.”
Dzeko is ready to return up towards Juve at Stadio Olimpico and Pirlo acknowledged the menace he poses.
“He may have been a Juve striker, however he stays a fantastic participant,” Pirlo added. “We respect him, however sadly he will likely be an opponent tomorrow.”
Pirlo has a few choice posers to ponder towards Roma with midfielder Arthur – a close-season arrival from Barca – in competition having been an unused substitute towards Sampdoria, whereas ahead Paulo Dybala returned to coaching this week after a muscular difficulty.
“We’ve labored with Paulo Dybala, who has progressively returned with the group,” Pirlo stated. “Let’s see how he feels as we speak and whether or not he can journey to Rome.
“Additionally, Arthur is coming from a interval of inactivity however has labored very nicely. He’s settling in, from a tactical and bodily standpoint.
“He hasn’t performed a lot at Barcelona both. He wants a interval of acclimatisation, he’s accessible tomorrow and we’ll see whether or not to let him play or not.”
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