Manchester United are refusing to give up on pursuit of £60m Real Madrid forward

Manchester United are set to increase their bid for Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata.

After having a bid of £52m rejected from Real Madrid, the club are set to increase the offer to £60m according to The Guardian. Jose Mourinho's side are in the market for a marquee forward after plans to bring Antoine Griezmann to the club were scuppered by a transfer ban. It was believed that the Red Devils would had been prepared to break the world record transfer fee that they set last summer in an attempt to bring the French international to the Premier League. But after Atletico Madrid were hit with a transfer ban, Griezmann confirmed that he would be staying put in Madrid. United also need somebody to replace the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic after it was reported that he would be leaving Old Trafford. A deal for Morata may not prove straightforward, however. The £60m that United are set to offer falls short of Madrid's valuation of their player. It is believed that the club value Morata at €90m (£79m), significantly more than the €70m Manchester United are offering. The Old Trafford side are confident of negotiating a transfer at a lower price if they can pay most of the fee up front. Chelsea were reportedly interested in Morata but with a deal likely struck with Everton forward Romelu Lukaku, United will not have to engage in a bidding war. Morata's agent recently spoke to Foot Mercato and did not deny that a move could be in the offing. "He wants to play more. Which is normal for an attacker who has scored 19 goals," he said. "I do not know (if he will have another season at Madrid). "This has been a brilliant season for Real Madrid who have won many titles. The player will take a clear and definitive decision in the coming days. I have not yet met with the representatives from Real Madrid.” Morata rejoined Real Madrid last year after spending two years at Juventus and the club reportedly have a buy back clause on the striker that is less than what Manchester United are prepared to pay, which could work in favour for Jose Mourinho's side.