Alvaro Morata insists criticism from Atletico Madrid fans about his Real Madrid past is "normal" as he closes in on a move to his former club's bitter rivals from Chelsea.
Morata is expected to complete an initial 18-month loan move to Atletico – who will have a purchase option – imminently, with the Spain international arriving in Madrid on Saturday.
A return to Spain looked likely this month and, after Sevilla bowed out of the race early on, Atletico have had a clean run to sign the striker who was a part of the club's academy as a child, before his Real Madrid days.
Some supporters are not keen on the idea of Morata playing for Atletico, with a section of the crowd in Saturday's 2-0 win over Getafe chanting 'less Morata and more Borja Garces', but the 26-year-old is calm about the situation.
90'+ | 2-0 | THE END! Our team earns a fantastic 2-0 derby win.
Thanks for your support today, Atléticos!
#AtletiGetafe
#AúpaAtletipic.twitter.com/xP2iQ3R6tm— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) January 26, 2019
Speaking to reporters at the airport, Morata said: "I'm happy to be in Madrid, I've been waiting for many days.
"I'm super happy and I want everything to be finalised, to start and train with my colleagues.
"The people who have always been with me know how I feel today, how the last days have been.
"It's normal for people to have their thoughts [about playing for Atletico after Real Madrid], I know what I can do.
"I started playing at Atletico. People who know where I come from, they know my history and what this means to me. The past is the past, I am proud of that."
Morata is expected to have a medical on Sunday and his Atletico debut could come at Real Betis on February 3.
