© EuroFootball.com
Defending UEFA Champions League title, Russian Roman Abramovich-controlled London club "Chelsea" is ready to pay 60 million euros for Atletico Madrid leader Radamel Falcao. According to reports in foreign media, the "Blues" have already spoken with the Colombian footballer about personal contract terms.
During the upcoming transfer window in January, the London club will try to acquire the 26-year-old forward, for whom "Atletico" paid 45 million euros to Portuguese club "Porto" at the beginning of last season.
Although the agreement with the Colombian is signed until 2016, "Chelsea" is willing to pay the stipulated buy-out clause in the contract, so there should be no way for the Spanish club to stop their star in that case. Additionally, the club has repeatedly announced financial problems - this should also make it easier for other teams to acquire the forward.
According to goal.com, Falcao himself told "Chelsea" executives that he agrees to move to the London club. The forward has previously stated that sooner or later he would like to test his skills in the Premier League.
It is reported that "El Tigre" (tiger - ed. note) Falcao, is also wanted by Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain. However, Manchester City already has many top-class forwards, and the French league is not as attractive to the Colombian as the English league.
"Chelsea" coach Roberto di Matteo envisions a place for Falcao alongside another London club forward Fernando Torres, while England international Daniel Sturridge is expected to play a substitute role. This year, the Spaniard has already scored 7 goals in 18 matches, but there is also a possibility that Torres could be sold - saving both money and space for Falcao.
For the first time in the nine years that Abramovich has led the club, "Chelsea" believes that the acquisition of the Colombian will not affect the club's compliance with UEFA's Financial Fair Play rules.
If this deal goes through, and Falcao costs "Chelsea" 60 million euros, he would be the most expensive purchase in the history of the London club. So far, that record belongs to Fernando Torres, bought for 58.5 million euros from Liverpool in 2010.
Golden Ball nominee Falcao has already scored 10 goals in ten matches in the Spanish La Liga, and he sent three precise shots into "Chelsea" goals in the UEFA Super Cup earlier this season.
Since moving from Buenos Aires' "River Plate" to Europe in 2009, Falcao has scored 121 goals in 147 matches for "Porto" and "Atletico."
