With Darwin Nuñez reportedly headed to Trabzonspor, Romelu Lukaku likely off to Fenerbahçe, and Breel Embolo still apparently in the mix, a new name has emerged in Atlanta United’s search for a new No. 9.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio from Sky Sport in Italy, Atlanta are interested in Spain international striker Álvaro Morata, who was on loan this past season to Como from AC Milan. Per Di Marzio, clubs in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Mexico are also considering making a move for him.
Morata’s experience is undeniable. He’s won a pair of Champions Leagues, both at Real Madrid. In 2024, he won the European Championship, serving as Spain’s captain during the tournament. In 2022, he was part of Spain’s World Cup team. But with that has come the pitfalls: he scored just once across with Como while being hampered by an adductor injury. During a loan spell at Galatasaray in 2024-25, he failed to string together a consistent run of play. His overall form, coupled with his injury history, kept him out of Luis de La Fuente’s 2026 World Cup squad.
No one can accuse Atlanta United of not thinking big during its search for a new striker. Lukaku, Embolo, Nuñez, and Morata are names recognized in specific corners of the footballing world. Whether a move to MLS is what the doctor ordered for Morata remains to be seen, but whoever it is that ends up leading the line, Atlanta would do well to proced with caution.
Let us know what you think in the comments.
If we are truly interested in him, we have learned nothing and will continue to stink.
Why are our search filters refined to “older striker with recent injuries”? Are the results for anything else out of our budget?
I wonder if it’s that no one wants to come here. We can’t sell our project to anyone.
I think of the guys were were/are in on, only Nunez and Lukaku have gone elsewhere or officially declined. Nunez was always a long shot, and personally I’m not disappointed to miss out on Lukaku. Given what his contract is rumored to be with Fenerbahce (€10 million/year for 2 years plus possible bonuses up to €3 million/year), it probably would’ve taken like $15-18 million a year for 2-3 years to get him to even consider coming here. I can’t fathom paying that to an end of career player with his documented issues with fitness and FO clashes at almost every stop in his career. Maybe he’d have killed it, knowing this was his last real contract, or maybe he’d just dick around milking minor injuries enjoying his pre-retirement on AB’s dime and one of AUFC’s key DP slots.
I suspect the search is “viable striker who can finish with some degree of skill but doesn’t require a five year commitment.” We all know full well that the team is harshly constrained by existing salary commitments. They sent ELL out on a one year loan. If that doesn’t work out in Berlin he comes back for three more years. Unless MLS opens up salary caps and additional DP slots, the front office has to be very careful about who they bring in to “replace” him. So you’re going to see names of players more likely to agree to shorter contracts and prove-it clauses. Those aren’t you young rising prospects. They’re your aging stars looking for at least a little more run.
The other thing I think Atlanta is searching for is the very difficult to define or measure “character” of their next “star” addition. Every single indicator says AU has become and absolutely toxic culture internally. So you may see some lean towards older players who “know how to be professionals.”
Then why did we look a Lukaku? Agree that we need a culture imporvement.
He played just over 900 minutes last season with a grand total of ZERO goals scored. What are we doing here?
so what you are saying is that this is a match made in heaven? hahaha
lol. yes. we can’t even see heaven from the purgatory we’ve been stuck in the past several years. :-/
Short answer: No.
Long answer: Please no.
This would be a bad move by Atlanta.
The injury problems is a huge red flag. Do we really want someone who’s gonna be injured half the season?
I guess we couldn’t find any 35 year old striker?
I would love this if he was at least 2 years younger.