Radamel Falcao Transfer Report Sparks Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid Interest

Teams in the market for a world-class striker this summer have been put on red alert after reports emerged that AS Monaco are ready to cash in on their record signing, Radamel Falcao.

According to French magazine Le10Sport (h/t 101 Great Goals), the principality club are willing to sell the Colombian forward, and that could spark interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Real Madrid.

The news was splashed across the magazine’s front page, as noted here by 101 Great Goals:

Falcao is currently recovering from a horrendous knee injury that ruled him out of the second half of the domestic season and the 2014 World Cup. In his first season at Monaco he netted nine times in 16 starts, per WhoScored.com, but it is the form he has showcased in the years before his move to Ligue 1 that will have a host of clubs interested.

Despite his supreme predatory instincts in front of goal, the report suggests Falcao does not fit into the blueprint looking to be implemented by new boss Leonardo Jardim, who wants to play a fluid 4-3-3 formation.

Perhaps Jardim had an eye on Falcao's national side in the World Cup, who were extremely impressive and wonderfully enterprising during a 3-0 win over Greece despite the absence of their talisman.

Falcao's Colombia and Monaco teammate James Rodriguez seemed to flourish in what was almost a free role, as noted here by David Jaca of beIN Sports:

It remains to be seen how Falcao recovers from this current injury, but if he was to replicate the stunning form he showcased at FC Porto and Atletico Madrid, he’d be a fine capture for any of the aforementioned potential suitors.

Chelsea are reportedly close to sealing a deal for the man who helped replace Falcao’s goals at Atletico Madrid, Diego Costa, per Marca (h/t Emma Webb of Sky Sports).

The Costa link could rule the Blues out of the running, with Mourinho likely to prefer the more rounded, robust attributes of Costa to the forensic finishing of the Colombian.

Arsenal are sure to be in the market for a forward this summer, but whether Arsene Wenger would be willing to shell out in the region of Falcao's €60 million valuation on one player—especially one who is 28 years old—remains to be seen.

Falcao would certainly flourish at the Emirates and would be afforded a host of chances with the likes of Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey playing behind him.

If Falcao is on the market, though, the most likely destination is surely Real Madrid. The current European champions have been linked with a move for a centre-forward, with Sergio Aguero and Luis Suarez reportedly targeted, per Rhys Turrell of the Daily Star, and they would surely be interested in a player like Falcao, who has already shown that he can excel in La Liga.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Whichever club looks to capture the Colombian ahead of next season will be taking a big risk given his recent injury woes, but there are few players on the planet comparable to Falcao when it comes to sticking the ball in the back of the net.

Money is seemingly no object for the Santiago Bernabeu outfit, though, and it'd be especially intriguing to see how Falcao would fare in the iconic all white strip.