AS WAS EXPECTED, Radamel Falcao’s brief stay in England came to an end on Sunday when Manchester United confirmed they would not be taking up the option to sign him permanently following an underwhelming season-long loan.
The Colombian’s wife posted a picture of him at the airport yesterday as he and his family returned to Monaco but if reports in this morning’s Telegraph are to be believed, he could yet be returning to England.
According to the newspaper, Jose Mourinho shares the same agent with Falcao and the Chelsea boss is in the market for a front man with Didier Drogba departing Stamford Bridge.
Whether the Blues are prepared to add Falcao’s €370,000 a week wages to their pay list is questionable, however.
It’s thought the Colombian would be prepared to take a pay cut to move back to the Premier League, an indication he knows a forgettable season at United has reduced his worth.
Having endured a difficult year at Old Trafford, Falcao is clearly desperate to reignite his career but on the back of his performances in red, it’s difficult to see too many of Europe’s heavyweights falling over each other for his signature.
Although we didn’t see the best of Falcao in the Premier League, the 29-year-old is unquestionably a top-class marksman, his record in Spain for Atletico Madrid (52 league goals in 68 appearances) affirms that.
But any club willing to sign him, given he demands such excessive wages, would be taking a risk. Liverpool took a similar punt on Mario Balotelli last year and as we all know, that didn’t work out.
It remains to be seen if Chelsea’s interest is concrete or just hear say so here are four clubs with the financial muscle who have the capacity to acquire his services:
Real Madrid
The departure of Carlo Ancelotti could work in Falcao’s favour. If Rafa Benitez does take charge at the Bernabeu he may look to reshuffle the pack and with Javier Hernandez likely to head back to United, Los Blancos will be in the market for a striker.
Madrid have been linked with a move for Falcao of late with several outlets reporting they’re preparing a €45 million bid and his goalscoring record in La Liga would suggest he’d be ready to slot back in without much need for a settling period.
Paris Saint Germain
Money isn’t an object for PSG but whether Monaco would sell one of their prized assets to their Ligue 1 rivals is questionable. Moreover, given Zlatan Ibrahimovic is already the main man at the Parc des Princes, Laurent Blanc may not have room for another striker in his ranks.
If Edinson Cavani does move on, however, there may be a role there for Falcao at PSG and it would be another signal of intent on their part if they were to bring him to the French capital.
Chelsea
The Premier League champions are the latest club to be linked with Falcao and initial reports suggest there are a couple of variables which might help a deal materialise. Diego Costa missed chunks of the season through injury and while Loic Remy deputised proficiently, you feel the Blues are perhaps a striker light.
But Mourinho doesn’t make purchases, particularly big money ones, for the sake of it. If he feels Falcao will add something to his squad then he may just ask the owner to write a cheque but the striker’s unproductive term at United will surely have put doubts in the back of Mourinho’s mind.
Monaco
Alternatively, he could just stay at Monaco given his contract in the principality doesn’t end until 2018.
After paying nearly €60 million for him two years ago, Monaco will want to see some return from their investment and now that they’re unlikely to make that amount back , we may see him at the Stade Louis II next season.
Having been one of Europe’s top strikers before that debilitating knee injury before the World Cup, returning to France may just be the fresh start Falcao needs to get back up and running.
