Radamel Falcao could be confirmed as a Chelsea player this week with the Premier League champions in discussions with the Colombian.
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According to the Sunday Telegraph, the deal is 90 per cent done with the loan transfer only being held up by negotiations over Chelsea’s contribution to his €360,000-a-week (Dh1.5m) wages at Monaco.
Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev was in London over the weekend to hold talks with the Premier League champions. If the move is finalised, Falcao will be reunited with Diego Costa who he played alongside at Atletico Madrid.
Chelsea and AS Monaco have now agreed terms on Radamel Falcao. #CFC #ASMFC #MUFC #COL
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) June 14, 2015
The 29-year-old also shares agent Jorge Mendes with Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho who last week said: “If I can help Falcao reach his level again, I will do it. It hurts me that people in England think that the real Falcao is the one we saw at Manchester United.”
Chelsea are in need of reinforcements in the final third of the pitch as Costa’s outstanding start to the season became clouded by constant hamstring trouble.
Didier Drogba has been released by the club while their are doubts over Loic Remy’s future with West Ham keen to sign the French international.
Falcao scored four goals in 26 league appearances for Manchester United and looked shorn of all confidence as the season wore on. United refused to take up their €60m (Dh247m) option to sign the striker on a permanent deal.
Falcao is in Chile with the Colombia squad and was quizzed on his disappointing campaign before last night’s match against Venezuela.
“Falcao was always there,” he said. “It depends what criteria you are using. People said I was not on the field and not scoring goals. The speculation is not true. I am calm. Today Falcao is a more complete player.”
Mourinho is also reportedly close to agreeing a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese’s current deal runs until 2017 but he is poised, along with assistants Rui Faria and Silvino Louro, to agree a new two-year extension until 2019.
