Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata admits he was ready to join AS Roma last year.

Morata says a return to Italy was an option last summer.

He told La Gazzetta dello Sport: "I was in a particular situation, with the contract with Atletico Madrid expiring. I renewed it by significantly changing my economic conditions due to issues of financial fair play and the club's wage bill, and also changing the conditions for a possible sale.

"They contacted me from Milan, then the coaches called me, because I have good relationships with everyone. Allegri trained me. The same goes for Mourinho, who also gave me my debut in Madrid. I liked the idea of going to Rome and Roma, to play with Paulo (Dybala) and in a club and in a city full of passion where football is experienced like in South America.

"We have known each other with Inzaghi for years, we found ourselves on holiday: he is a incredible coach and a spectacular person with whom it's a pleasure to spend time, be together, talk. He is someone who transmits a lot of positive energy."

But he remained at Atletico.

"Yes. There were contractual difficulties with the Italian clubs, but it was a chat with Simeone that changed everything. And here I want to say one thing: many think and say that the two of us didn't get along. It's not true, we had an excellent relationship. Which improved last summer, because we got to know each other better on a personal level.

"On a football level, everything was already clear, we took a step forward in terms of mutual understanding, and it helped both of us: I've never started as many games as a starter for Atletico as I have this year, and there have also been a lot of goals."