Man City and Chelsea on red alert as Falcao asking price is revealed
Published:Atletico Madrid appear to have found a solution to their well-documented financial problems, having decided to allow prize asset Radamel Falcao to leave the club next summer.
They have slapped a £48m price tag on the Colombian forward, with Manchester City and Chelsea’s interest peaked as a result of this move by the La Liga club.
Falcao has begun the season in terrific form, notching 11 times in just seven appearances in all competitions, further cementing his reputation as one of the world’s most feared strikers.
Of those goals, three came in Chelsea’s European Super Cup defeat at the hands of Atletico earlier this term, a contributory factor in firming up the Blues’ interest in the player.
And taking into account a goals-to-game ratio that far exceeds one every two games over his career, Falcao’s £48m price tag appears perfectly reasonable in today’s market.
Such a fee would not prove problematic for either Chelsea or City, and it could be left to the powerful striker to take his pick of the clubs next summer.
The fact that his departure would resolve all of Atletico’s financial trouble hints at the magnitude of Falcao’s wages however, and so mega-rich City could have an advantage.
With the likes of Yaya Toure, Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez all earning in excess of £200,000 per week at Eastlands, the Premier League champions are likely to tempt Falcao.
That said, European champions Chelsea did fend off much competition to land Eden Hazard this summer, and aren’t known to be stingy regarding player salaries themselves.
Any potential move for Falcao would likely involve him becoming one of the club’s highest-paid players, but seeming a natural successor to Didier Drogba, he could well be worth it.
It seems as though Falcao will ultimately get the chance to choose though, providing both City and Chelsea follow up their interest in a player they have each long admired.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
