Chelsea Transfer News: Blues Must Make Move to Sign Radamel Falcao

When Atletico Madrid’s Radamel Falcao becomes available, Chelsea must beat the competition to sign the star striker.

Goal.com’s Simon Harrison quoted Atletico’s general manager, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, speaking about the club’s financial struggles—and his squad’s most valuable asset—on a Spanish radio station.

“The €60 million [£48m] for Falcao would solve all the economic problems at Atletico," said Marin.

In the report, Marin also states that he will not sell Falcao before the season is over. But regardless of whether the 26-year-old is made available in January or the summer, Roman Abramovich would be wise to dip into his deep pockets. 

Greg Stobart of Goal.com reported in early September that both Chelsea and Manchester City were showing significant interest in the striker.

Signing Falcao is not a matter of necessity for either of these clubs, but when an elite striker becomes available, these two big spenders will certainly be in the mix to sign him.

Falcao is arguably the best pure striker in football. He has eight goals this season in La Liga matches, which is tied for the most in Spain with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

He is a lethal finisher with either foot, and although he is not exceptionally tall, he is still incredibly dangerous in the air. Falcao possesses no weaknesses as a goal scorer.

If he did move to Stamford Bridge, he would likely take over the role of first choice striker from Fernando Torres, although the Spanish international has performed admirably this season.

With four goals in seven Premier League matches, Torres has finally showed the form that caused Chelsea to pay £50 million for him. However, his career in London has been marred by inconsistency, and the Blues have little depth at the position.

Due to Torres’ recent performances, Chelsea is not in dire need of Falcao’s services. Still, the Atletico striker would greatly improve the team, and Abramovich is one of the few men in European football with the means to match his price tag. 

Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour could also afford the fee Atletico will set, and Falcao is the type of player who can give the club he signs with a marked advantage in both Champions League and the EPL.

In the recent arms race between City and Chelsea, the Blues seemingly have the advantage right now with last season’s UCL victory and their current four-point lead over both Manchester clubs in the Premiership.

In order to keep the upper hand, Abramovich must beat out Mansour—and any other suitors—for Falcao’s signature.