Just over two years ago, Alvaro Morata was lifting the European Championship trophy as Spain’s captain. This weekend the former Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, Atletico Madrid and AC Milan forward is expected to sign as a Segunda Division player.

The striker is closing in on a season-long loan to CD Leganes from Serie A side Como. Santi Duque of El Partidazo de COPE reported early on Thursday that, unless something changes, Morata will lead the Leganes attack in Spain’s second tier this season.

“Alvaro Morata is going to be Leganes’s No. 9 in the second division this 2026-27 season,” Duque said on the programme.

No Serie A goal in a full season under Fabregas

Como’s willingness to let him go is easier to explain than his willingness to accept the drop. Morata scored one goal in 30 appearances across all competitions for Como under Cesc Fabregas last season, and did not score once in 26 Serie A matches. The Lombardy side qualified for the Champions League anyway.

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The drought was decisive when Luis de la Fuente picked Spain’s 26-man World Cup roster in June. He chose Mikel Oyarzabal, Ferran Torres and Borja Iglesias to attack instead. Spain went on to win the tournament in July, beating Argentina 1-0 in the final in East Rutherford, while Morata watched from home.

The €8m wage problem

Morata still earns wages sized to his years at Atletico Madrid and AC Milan, reportedly around €8m a year according to COPE, and Leganes cannot come close to that on their own. Gianluca Di Marzio, cited by El Desmarque, calls “the financial side” the biggest impediment, and the clubs are working on a structure in which Como would keep most of the salary.

This is not the first Segunda approach. Deportivo La Coruna spoke to Morata’s camp earlier in the summer, according to El Desmarque, before signing another striker.

Sporting director Andres Pardo was asked about Morata at the presentation of new signing Alex Sancris and, according to COPE, left the door open without giving details. Morata himself wants to live in Madrid, and his representative Juanma Lopez has close ties to Leganes.

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Como controls any exit, and the Spanish window closes in the coming days.

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