So Falcao has loved Chelsea since he was a boy has he? Can I presume that he was inspired to become a footballer by the epic exploits of such classic CFC players as Gavin Peacock, Frank Sinclair and Eddie Newton?
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Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao could be set to move to the Premier League in the near future, with his father predicting it may even happen by the end of January.
Falcao is one of the most highly-regarded strikers in Europe, and only increased his reputation with a stunning performance last Friday as Atletico demolished Chelsea in the European Super Cup.
The Colombia international would be coveted by clubs throughout Europe if he were to become available, but his father has revealed that the Premier League is his most likely destination.
"Yes, it's very likely," Radamel Sr said when asked if his son could move to the Premier League in January. "There are three teams interested - Manchester City, Chelsea and a Russian team. Falcao has always wanted to play in the Premier League.
"Ever since he was a boy he has loved Chelsea and has always thought it would be an honour to play for a big Premier League team."
It had been suggested that Chelsea would make a move for Falcao on deadline day last week, but an offer never materialised - with a club source telling ESPN that, while a deal for Napoli forward Edinson Cavani was discussed, Falcao was not on the agenda.
Chelsea also denied a preliminary agreement is already in place for Falcao, after details of an initial deal were reported in Colombia, and the player's father confirmed that any interested club still needs to agree a transfer fee.
"I don't want to talk about any pre-agreements," Radamel said. "I spoke to Falcao very briefly yesterday. The minimum release clause in his contract with Atletico Madrid is about €55 million, but Falcao doesn't want to talk figures."
Atletico are deeply in debt, with significant funds owed to the tax authorities, and it is believed they will have to sell players to fund their repayments. It had been thought that Falcao could be sold in the summer to raise the cash, but the departures of several squad players raised around €20 million.
If only we had a good scouting network and had found him and signed him say three or four years ago.
Actually we did, like most clubs we didn't want to take the risk.
Despite reports that Atletico Madrid is trying to hold on to Radamel Falcao, GM Miguel Angel Gil Marin put a price on him Tuesday, saying that if Atletico doesn't get into the Champions League, the team can't afford Falcao.
"Falcao's €60 million ($50.7 million) would solve a lot of our economic problems," Gil Marin said on Spanish radio station COPE, while insisting that Falcao will finish the season with his team. "With security (he will). Him and all the players the coach wants will stay."
"If Atletico doesn't get into Champions and can't pay what Falcao is asking, I don't think that Madrid can cover it."
Meanwhile, Falcao said he doesn't think Atletico has a chance to win La Liga, despite the fact that they are even with Barcelona at the top of the standings after Sunday's 2-1 win over Malaga. Falcao said he is shooting for Champions.
"No, Champions is our goal," Falcao told El Tiempo newspaper in Colombia this week as he prepares for his home country's World Cup qualifier vs. Paraguay. "We have the capacity to do it. Now in the league we are battling teams with greater budgets that are very superior to the rest of La Liga and who have the best players in the world. You have to be very consistent all year to fight against them. We worry about beating the rival we have each Sunday and then we are closer to the end of the season."
Atletico's financial struggles reflect those of Spain in general, and the club owes an estimated $441 million to the Spanish tax authorities and prize money withheld by UEFA because of a failure to make repayments. Falcao has been linked to Real Madrid and Chelsea in transfer rumors for the upcoming window.
Falcao signed for Atletico for €40 million ($50.7 million) from Porto in the summer of 2011. Gil Marin suggested earlier this summer that he would be sold at some point given the club's precarious financial situation.
So there you go, €60 million. Levy will start the bidding much much lower I imagine.
Levy will start the bidding much much lower I imagine.
I could see him going to Chelsea - they could do with another top-draw striker
Yep, I can imagine his hattrick against them made Abramovic wet over the thought of bringing him in.