Atletico's Morata: There were options to go to Barcelona, Xavi called me
The striker was a January target for the Catalan club, who eventually signed Aubameyang
Alvaro Morata was linked with Barcelona last January and again in the summer and the Atletico Madrid striker has confirmed he could have joined Xavi's side in the winter when he was still on loan at Juventus.
"There were options to go to Barça," the forward said, "I went to speak with [Juve coach] Allegri and he told me I wasn't going anywhere, that he wanted me to play with Vlahovic.
"I had another four or five offers, all of them really good, but in the end Atletico had the final word."
And he added: "Xavi called me and spoke about football. It's an honour that a coach like Xavi has you in mind. [He was convincing], even more when he has someone you have seen play since you were little and seen around Las Rozas."
