World Football Gossip Roundup: Radamel Falcao, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Rafa Benitez

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Footballers say the darndest things sometimes.

On the one hand there's Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who says he might want to play for Bayern Munich one day—despite the fact that in the past he couldn't seem to get along with the guy who's about to take over as manager in Bavaria.

And then there's Radamel Falcao, who says he might just stay at Atletico Madrid after all—as if all the speculation, innuendo, rumors and gossip of the last year were just fun and games.

Those two stories—believable or not—lead this Wednesday edition of the B/R World Football Gossip Roundup. Inside we also have news on Angel Di Maria, Heung-Min Son, Rafa Benitez and more.

Keep reading for all the details.

Radamel Falcao Hints at Atletico Madrid Stay

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Colombian forward Radamel Falcao says his "best option" is to remain with Atletico Madrid (via Sky Sports).

Falcao, 27, has scored 20 league goals this season for Atletico Madrid. He joined the club in 2011 from Porto and has been linked heavily with several elite European clubs.

"I have a contract with Atletico for three more years. Therefore that's the best option," Falcao said.

Atletico are currently second in Spain's Primera Division.

Meanwhile, Sky Sports reports that on-loan Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois says he won't be used as a makeweight in any Falcao move to Chelsea. Courtois, a 20-year-old Belgian international, has been on loan with Atletico since the beginning of last season.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Expresses Interest in Bayern Munich?

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Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovich has admitted interest in Bayern Munich, according to a report from 11Freunde (h/t ESPN.co.uk).

Ibrahimovic, 31, joined Paris Saint-Germain from AC Milan last summer and has scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 this season. He had a rocky relationship with manager Pep Guardiola when the two were at Barcelona; Guardiola will take over Bayern in the summer.

"The Bundesliga is certainly a league that attracts me," Ibrahimovic is quoted as saying. "One day, maybe I will go there. I still have a little time left in my career. If I chose to go to Germany, it would have to be Bayern Munich. For me they are one of the top five clubs in the world."

Real Madrid Shopping Around Angel Di Maria?

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Real Madrid are offering winger Angel Di Maria to multiple European clubs, according to the Daily Mirror.

Di Maria, an Argentine international, joined Real from Benfica in 2010. Real reportedly have offered Di Maria to Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain among others.

Di Maria has scored four league goals this season.

Chelsea Consider £10 Million Move for Heung-Min Son?

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Chelsea are considering a £10 million move for Hamburg's Korean forward Heung-Min Son, according to Metro.

Son, 20, has scored nine goals in 20 Bundesliga appearances this season. He has reportedly been scouted by Manchester United, Tottenham, Arsenal and Liverpool in the past year.

Metro describes the potential move as a way for Chelsea to build interest in Asia.

Rafa Benitez Interested in Spain Job?

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Interim Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez says he would consider managing Spain in the future (via Marca).

Benitez, 52, won two La Liga titles with Valencia, as well as the UEFA Champions League (2005) and FA Cup (2006) with Liverpool. He took over as Chelsea's interim manager following the dismissal of Roberto Di Matteo in November.

"The national team could be an alternative later on in the future. At the moment I prefer to work with my players on a daily basis," Benitez told Radio Nacional de Espana. "When Vicente del Bosque, who is doing a great job, decides to call it a day or even after a couple more national coaches have a spell in charge, then I might be interested in becoming the Spain manager."

Quick Kicks

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Fiorentina are interested in signing Liverpool forward Fabio Borini, who joined the Merseyside club only last summer (via ESPN FC).

French midfielder Mathieu Valbuena (pictured) has signed a new contract that will tie him to Marseille until 2017 (via Sky Sports).

Arsenal are in talks to sign Venezuelan defender Fernando Amorebieta on a free transfer this summer after coming close to a deal with Athletic Bilbao in January, according to the player's agent (via Goal.com).

AC Milan president Silvio Berlusconi says the Rossoneri are interested in signing Italian midfielder Marco Verratti from PSG (via Sky Sports).

 

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