Football News: Alvaro Morata confirms Atletico Madrid stay as Juventus loan ends

However, there was a definite absence of 'feeling' between manager Diego Simeone and his attacker the following season, as they say in Spain.

That much was evident, resulting in Morata being loaned out to Juventus for the next season, with former right-back Juanfran acknowledging their relationship wasn't the best.

Morata, on the other hand, has returned to Atletico Madrid this summer and appears to want to work with Simeone.

The Spaniard is keen to re-join Diego Simeone's club and help them compete for major titles.

Alvaro Morata has stated that he would remain with Atletico Madrid until the conclusion of the 2022-23 season after his loan term at Juventus expires.

Morata spent the previous two seasons in Turin before returning to Juventus for a second stint in September 2020.

During that period, he scored 20 goals in Serie A, but Bianconeri decided not to buy him outright, and he is currently back at Wanda Metropolitano.

Morata confirms Atletico Madrid stay

Recent reports have linked Morata with a permanent summer transfer to Arsenal, but his contract at Atletico still has two years to run.

In an interview with Madrid's official website, the 29-year-old said: "I am very motivated, and I can't wait to start training." He later claimed that this would be an excellent year for him.

"I'm lucky to have already worked with Simeone and his team, and that will make things easier. I can't wait to start preparing for this season together."

"It's a super-complete squad that can aspire to win everything, as they showed two seasons ago by winning the league title in a championship as complicated as the Spanish one," he added.

"We have to work very hard this pre-season to be in the best physical condition to fight for everything."

Last season, Atletico failed to retain their La Liga championship, finishing third in the standings, 15 points behind eventual winners Real Madrid.

Simeone's team also fell short in the Champions League and the Copa del Rey. Morata believes the present squad is talented enough to challenge for every major title next season.

It remains to be seen whether the two can make it work. It is unusual for Simeone to change his mind about a player, but Morata's presence may have become a financial necessity imposed by the club.

Can Morata help Simeone achieve his goals?

There is little to no doubt that Morata may help Atletico Madrid in some way, but it may rely on their ability to mend their relationship first.

In January 2019, Atletico Madrid made a big deal by bringing the former Real Madrid striker back to La Liga on loan from Chelsea. Morata has spoken about returning to his boyhood club.

That move was made permanent in July 2020, but the striker's long-term situation at the Metropolitano was already troubling.

Simeone believed that showing some tough love was the most significant way to get a player with outstanding physical and technical abilities — but also a reflective and restless nature — to perform regularly, but that did not work.

Morata was in and out of the team until the ultimate straw, when Diego Costa, plainly past his prime, was chosen to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League quarter-finals in summer 2020.

As a result, Atletico Madrid agreed to a two-year loan arrangement for Morata to return to Juventus, where he has had the most stable phase of his career.

The Metropolitano hierarchy wanted Juve to make that deal permanent by paying €35 million before June 30, but that day, the Italians released a statement saying farewell to Morata.