Sunday, August 3, 2025

The Truth Banishes Fear!

MORATA: Man Utd Wanted Me

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer
new-diplomat default image
new-diplomat default image

Ad

Resetting the Falling Standards of Education in Nigeria: Addressing the Challenges and Embracing the Future

Summary of Sonny Iroche’s Keynote Address at the 64th Founders’ Day of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (October 9, 2024) In his keynote address, Sonny Iroche, an alumnus of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), delivered a compelling call to action to revitalize Nigeria’s education sector, with a focus on addressing systemic challenges and preparing…

The Hidden Signals in Oil Markets

Asia’s oil demand is growing faster than major agencies forecast, led by India and Southeast Asia’s emerging economies. China is rapidly restructuring its supplier base, favoring Brazil while cutting ties with U.S. energy. Kazakhstan’s refining expansion and chronic overproduction raise major questions about its future in OPEC+. I’ve been following the oil market closely this…

Oil Falls Below $70 as Sentiment Sours

A poor U.S. jobs report led to a broader sell-off on Friday, with leading stock indices falling from record highs. Friday, August 1st, 2025 Buoyed by Trump’s Russia threats and news of Indian state refiners curbing purchases of Russian crude, crude oil futures have been trending above $70 per barrel throughout the week, settling on…

Ad

Alvaro Morata has revealed he had an offer to join Manchester United prior to his transfer from Real Madrid to Chelsea.

But the 24-year-old said the presence of Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge made his decision to move to London over Manchester an easy one.

Morata said he was unaware of any interest from Chelsea at the start of the transfer window and thought they were targeting “a different player”.

He remains unsure whether that player was Romelu Lukaku, who was bought by Manchester United for £90m.

“I had various offers this summer, not only Chelsea and Manchester United but also from different leagues,” he told the Daily Mail. “It was a good situation for me.

“The most important and best conversation I had was with Conte, he wanted me to come here.

“At the start of the summer, I didn’t know that Chelsea were interested in me. I thought they were in for a different player, maybe Lukaku or maybe someone else, I don’t know. I didn’t think the option of Chelsea was open.

“But I spoke with Conte several times – and not only this summer. I felt in debt to him. He signed me for Juventus but left very quickly to manage Italy.

“I always wanted to play for him after that. It was only two months with him but it felt like I’d known him forever. When I knew he wanted me this summer, I didn’t think twice. I did everything I could to make the move happen.”

Morata also revealed he had been close to joining Chelsea last summer, when Conte was initially appointed as manager.

“Last summer it was close,” he said. “Cesar Azpilicueta was a bit annoyed because he had already started house-hunting for me.

“We’d even got estate agents on board. This time Cesar has sorted everything.

“When I spoke to Conte last summer, I said ‘If I’m going to leave Real Madrid, it will only be for Chelsea’.

“I remember I was with my wife after hearing him out and I said ‘Chelsea are going to win the league this season.’ And that’s exactly what happened. Now we need to repeat it.”

Ad

X whatsapp