Former Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata is reportedly close to making a surprise switch to Spanish second-tier club Leganes.
The 33-year-old is currently contracted to Como, where he scored just once in 30 appearances during his loan spell last season and reportedly fell out of favour with manager Cesc Fabregas.
In an unusual turn of events, Como only completed a permanent deal for Morata in June after initially taking him on loan from AC Milan.
A two-time Champions League winner, Morata has represented football giants including Real Madrid, Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid. He now appears set to join Leganes, known by the nickname the Cucumber Growers, at their 14,500-seat stadium.
According to Marca, Como and Leganes are working to complete the transfer after Morata asked to leave the Italian club.
The proposed move adds another unexpected chapter to Morata’s eventful career, which this summer also saw him call off divorce proceedings with model wife Alice Campello for a second time.
Alvaro Morata could soon be heading to Spain’s second division with CD Leganes
The news comes weeks after he and wife Alice Campello called off their divorce for a second time
Morata will at least continue his football career, despite Fabregas previously suggesting he should “play another sport” following a red card last season.
The striker was dismissed after receiving two yellow cards in quick succession during Como’s match against Fiorentina in February. Fabregas, his former Chelsea team-mate, responded: “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 become involved in exchanges with Rolando Mandragora and later Marin Pongracic before being shown both yellow cards in rapid succession.
His arrival would represent a major coup for Leganes, who have already brought in 11 players during a summer that has also seen the club change ownership.
Leganes were competing in LaLiga as recently as the 2024-25 season and are aiming for promotion, although their 16th-place finish last term underlines the scale of the challenge ahead.
Morata will hope a step down in division can help revive his scoring form. He has registered 231 goals in 660 club appearances, in addition to 37 goals in 87 matches for Spain.
Chelsea signed Morata from Real Madrid for a then-club-record £70.6 million in 2017. However, he spent only 18 months at Stamford Bridge before joining Atletico Madrid on loan for two seasons and eventually moving to Juventus.
The couple separated after the Euro 2024 final, reunited in January and then split again
Morata scored once in 30 games on loan at Como last season, was then signed permanently by the club and now appears set to leave
Leganes would provide Morata with a fresh challenge, both on the pitch and alongside Campello after the couple endured a turbulent period in recent seasons.
They first separated after Spain won the 2024 European Championship, following a disagreement that began on the pitch.
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.’
