Both Manchester City and Chelsea have been linked with the free-scoring Colombian. Which club will he join?
This summer is again set to be a busy one in the Premier League, with Manchester City threatening to break their own transfer record.
They raided Atletico Madrid for Sergio Aguero last year, signing him for £37 million.
What did the Spanish club go and do?
They went and signed last season’s Europa League top scorer, Radamel Falcao from Porto with almost the entire proceeds.
The Colombian has been an individual success, but Madrid still sit eighth in La Liga, behind Espanyol, Levante, and Osasuna, and risk missing out on European football next season.
If they are to hang onto their star man, qualification will be essential, and they would need to finish in the top six.
If reports are to be believed, the vultures are already circling. Today’s Sun newspaper states that Manchester City are preparing a £42 million bid.
Since arriving in Madrid, Falcao has scored 22 goals in his 29 games, 19 in 25 in La Liga.
City could attempt to sway Madrid into a deal by offering Edin Dzeko in part-exchange, and lowering their outlay.
But if we are talking about clubs offering Madrid a player in part-exchange, then it would be Chelsea who hold the trump card.
The ace in their pack is former Atletico Madrid player Fernando Torres. The Spaniard has not scored a league goal for the Blues since September, and despite providing a crucial assist for the club in midweek, his lack of goals remains a concern.
If Chelsea are serious about landing Falcao, their interest was first reported in the Evening Standard earlier this month, then offering Torres would be the most enticing way to go about it.
Torres began his career at Atletico Madrid, coming up through their youth team ranks. He scored 91 goals for the club in six full seasons, before leaving for the Premier League, and remains a club hero.
Many believe if Torres is to re-establish his career, a move away from England and back to Spain is the right move, and one which would certainly get the backing of the Spanish national team manager and his now former international teammates.
Chelsea in return would get a player in Falcao who is two years younger, and who has scored 145 goals in 230 professional appearances, a player who is adept with his head as he is both feet, and a ready made replacement for Didier Drogba.
They will have to act fast, because Manchester City are making the running at present. The big question is why neither club attempted to sign the striker last season, after he had bagged 17 goals in the Europa League with Porto.
Should Chelsea offer Torres in exchange for Falcao? Would it stop City from signing him?
images: © Ben Sutherland, © Ben Sutherland
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