Alvaro Morata's future appears to be somewhat up in the air less than a year after rejoining Real Madrid.

Despite frequently being the backup to Karim Benzema this season, the former Juventus striker has still managed to bag 16 goals for Zinedine Zidane's side.

But his lack of playing time has prompted fresh rumours regarding a potential summer move away from the Bernabeu, with various Premier League sides considered to be among the frontrunners for his signature.

In fact, Morata has revealed he was actually a lot closer to moving to England at the end of last season than many would have assumed.

Although Madrid had just activated their buy-back clause to re-sign Morata, there was speculation he could be sold on again to another club for profit.

And in an interview with The Guardian, the 24-year-old admitted he held talks with the managers of both Chelsea and Tottenham.

“Various Premier League coaches called to tell me to play for them. I said yeah, I’d like to, that if I had to leave I would almost certainly go to London, but that I didn’t know what Madrid would do," Morata said.

"I knew they’d bring me back but I didn’t know if it was to keep me or sell me. I spoke directly to Mauricio Pochettino and Antonio Conte, although the norm is clubs call my dad or agent. Madrid said they didn’t want to sell, so here I am.”

However, it was the Blues boss who had made the greater impression on Morata.

Conte missed out on working with the Spanish international at Juve after taking the Italy job but Morata hasn't given up hope of playing for the stern tactician one day.

It wasn't only the Madrid forward Conte had impressed, though, his father was also taken aback and even predicted Chelsea would win the Premier League under the Italian's stewardship.

Morata added: “I remember talking to my dad then and him saying: ‘This guy’s going to win the league there.'"

It is starting to look like his dad was spot on.

As the season enters its final stages, Chelsea are top of the table and are seven points ahead of Spurs in second.

And should Conte extend his stay at Stamford Bridge beyond this campaign, you can expect Morata to be at the top of his summer shopping list.

“But if an offer like that came again and they want to sell, I shouldn’t close doors. I loved Italy but if one day I have to leave, I’m sure it will be to the Premier League,” he continued.

“Conte is the manager who most ‘bet’ on me, without even ever having had me in his team.

“I’m very conscious of that: he bet on me for Juventus but left before I arrived; then he wanted me at Chelsea come what may. He knows me better than I could imagine, I’m sure, and that’s important: it motivates you to work hard, train well.

“I feel indebted to him because he’s the coach that most trusted in me, most wanted me, who made me feel I could perform at the highest level. And yet I’ve never had the fortune to actually work with him. I’m sure sooner or later I will."