In a surprising turn of events, former Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata is on the brink of joining Spanish second division club, Leganes.
At 33, Morata currently plays for Como but struggled to make an impact last season, netting just one goal in 30 appearances, which put him at odds with the team’s manager, Cesc Fabregas.
Curiously, Como had just finalized a permanent deal for Morata from AC Milan this past June, having initially acquired him on loan.
According to Marca, the transaction between Como and Leganes is in its final phases after Morata himself requested the move.
This potential transfer represents yet another chapter in the unpredictable career path of Morata, who this summer also made headlines by reconciling with his wife, model Alice Campello, for a second time after halting their divorce proceedings.
Alvaro Morata could soon be on his way to the Spanish second division with CD Leganes
It comes weeks after he and his wife Alice Campello called off a divorce for the second time
At least he will be continuing to play football and ignoring the advice of Fabregas, who suggested that Morata should ‘play another sport’ after a red card last season.
The striker was sent off after two yellow cards in quick succession against Fiorentina in February, prompting Fabregas – his former Chelsea team-mate – to say: ‘Provocation is part of football, those who can’t live with that should play another sport.
‘I expect much more from an experienced player like him.’
Morata had been dragged into confrontations with Rolando Mandragora and then with Marin Pongracic, getting two yellow cards in rapid succession.
He will be a major signing for Leganes, who have already made 11 acquisitions in a summer which has seen the club change hands to different owners.
Having been in LaLiga as recently as 2024-25, Leganes are targeting promotion but are under no illusions after only finishing 16th last season.
Morata will be hoping the drop in tier will let him add to his goals tally. He has scored 231 goals in 660 club appearances, while he also has 37 in 87 matches for Spain.
Chelsea signed him for a then-club record £70.6million from Real Madrid in 2017 but he only lasted 18 months before being shipped out on loan to Atletico Madrid for two seasons, before eventually signing for Juventus.
The couple split after the Euro 2024 final, reconciled in January, then split again
Morata was on loan at Como last season, scored once in 30 games, was then signed permanently by them… and now looks to be on his way out
Leganes will be a new adventure for Morata and his wife Campello, who have experienced some turbulence in recent seasons.
They split after Spain’s 2024 European Championship victory following a falling out on the field.
In August that year, they announced they were going their separate ways seven years after tying the knot. They rekindled their relationship last January but then split again.
The couple, who have four children together – twins Alessandro and Leonardo, Edoardo, and Bella – split because they had difficulties in communication.
In January, Spanish magazine Hola reported that Morata had moved out of the family home he shares with Campello and their four young children – Alessandro, Leonardo (twins), Edoardo, and Bella.
According to Spanish journalist Javi Hoyos, though, they have once again decided to give their relationship another chance, and were snapped together at a Bad Bunny concert at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium over the weekend, as shared on Instagram account beatrizespejel.
Reports suggest they have in fact been back together for some time.
Campello posted on TikTok: ‘I really enjoy seeing your kindness, your gentleness, and your ability to understand others. I’m sure you’ll go even further, because when things are done with respect, affection, and courtesy, you always win. And thank you also for all the messages of support and love from those who are happy for us.’