Morata doesn't fit Atletico mould, so why does Simeone want him?

On the face of it, Diego Simeone's pursuit of Alvaro Morata this January seems an odd one. Doesn't the Atletico Madrid coach prefer a Robocop centre-forward who runs through defensive walls? Why would mild-mannered Morata even be on his radar?

Despite his penchant for robust strikers – Diego Costa being the prototype – the Argentine coach's taste in forwards is more varied and cultured than he is given credit for.

This is the manager who sent Mario Mandzukic packing because the pair did not see eye to eye. He was happy with Radamel Falcao as his front man for a time, and this season has often played with Antoine Griezmann as his centre-forward in Costa's prolonged absence.

The second factor in all of this is Morata's Atletico past. Simeone puts huge stock in players who 'feel the colours' in the same way he does. Morata shared a dressing room with Koke in Atletico's youth team. Only when he dropped down the pecking order behind Borja Baston (who would later go on to flop at Swansea) did he move to Getafe where Real Madrid spotted and signed him.

Atletico was his grandad's team and he was proud to start his career there. Simeone knows that emotional tie is something that he can work to his favour.

The Argentine also backs himself as a coach. He believes he will get the best out of a player who has many of the attributes to make a top centre-forward, but has too often been held back but an absence of belief in his own ability to be the bully and not the bullied on the pitch.

Simeone thinks he could make an Atleti warrior of him. His assistant Mono Burgos would play his part in the attempted psychological makeover and fitness coach Oscar Ortega would get to work on a physical transformation.

However his Atletico past is a major factor - Morata (right) came through their youth system.

It also shouldn't be forgotten that Spanish match officials usually set the bar lower when it comes to whistling fouls in La Liga. Morata would receive better protection. He could also be used in harness with Costa at times, if and when the former Chelsea centre forward returns to full fitness.

Signing Morata this January would also give Atletico Madrid half a season to see how he measures up to replacing Costa, who looks bound for a non-European pay day sooner rather than later. If the role is not for him, Morata may end up being used as a second striker by Simeone – it shouldn't be forgotten that is very much how Jose Mourinho favoured using him, even playing wide against Barcelona in one Clasico.

Simeone once whispered something in Morata's ear as he prowled the touchline in a Madrid derby at the Bernabeu. 'Come and sign for me' the amateur lip-readers speculated.

Simeone does not always favour a big No 9 having played Antoine Griezmann there this season

Morata said the comment had been non-football related but admitted he had an excellent relationship with Simeone, who won the double at Atletico Madrid as a player with Juanma Lopez, who is now Morata's agent.

On the personal side all the stars align. There are still big financial obstacles to overcome. The view in Spain is that Juventus will need to sell Gonzalo Higuain to Chelsea, first releasing him from his loan at Milan. Atletico will then need to move out several players to stop Morata's wages going over the La Liga-imposed salary limit.

The club could move on Nikola Kalinic and Gelson Martins, which would enable them to get close to Morata's £200,000-a-week Chelsea salary. They might not have to match his Premier League money because he has agreed to take a pay cut to go back to the club he left as a 15-year-old.

It's a deal that remains in the balance, but if it does not come off it will not be because Simeone is not a believer. He knows the club can't afford to go out and get a Harry Kane or even an Edinson Cavani. He sees willing, potential and good value in Morata, and he wants the club to bring him to Spain.