Why Falcao to Chelsea Will Be the Blockbuster Transfer of the Summer Window

Prodigious Colombian goalscorer Radamel Falcao has been the talk of almost every transfer window of the past three years, as the man they call El Tigre (The Tiger) gains plaudits across the world for his talents. The Atletico Madrid man has stayed put in the Spanish capital for two years, but at the age of 27, the time could be right for a sensational move to England, as Chelsea beckon for the star. 

The former River Plate and Porto player, born in the sweltering Caribbean heat of Santa Marta, one of Colombia's top tourist destinations, revels in his Tigre nickname. Photo shoots and interviews have even been conducted with the player accompanied by the predatory creature, the tag more than appropriate for a man who shows ruthless instincts in front of goal. 

Since moving to Portugal from Argentina, Falcao's scoring rate has been nothing short of astonishing. He netted a stunning 72 goals in 87 games for the Dragao and hardly let up after making the switch to Madrid. An almost identical record for the Spanish club—69 in the same number of games—has proven that he was good enough for La Liga, and he added the second Europa League crown in as many years during 2011-12, once more finishing top scorer. 

It is time, however, for the Colombian idol to test himself in one of Europe's top clubs, and although Atletico Madrid will fight tooth and nail to keep him—a release fee worth a staggering €70 million would have to be met—there are certainly clubs that would meet that valuation. 

For most of the current season, the institution most likely to take Falcao appeared to be Atletico's closest neighbours. Real Madrid, led by coach Jose Mourinho who is a confirmed long-term fan of the player, are expected to conduct a wide-ranging clear out of their squad for the coming season, renewing a team that crashed out of the Champions League and are set to finish distant runners-up to hated rivals Barcelona domestically. 

One problem for Madrid and The Special One, as he let slip in a 2012 interview with A Bola (via Goal.com), was the current stamping ground of his target. 

"Falcao is a fundamental player for our rivals, just like Kun Aguero was. There is a pact of non-aggression between Real Madrid and Atletico so I think Falcao is a forbidden fruit," the outspoken coach explained back in October. Little did he know that, as the transfer window approaches rapidly, the panorama has changed drastically. 

Mourinho's arrival at Chelsea for the start of the new season is now treated almost as an inevitability in the press, a switch that would open the door for Falcao in London. Indeed, the Daily Mirror reports Bild's words in stating that the deal "almost certain," and that the Colombian would be a multi-million Euro "welcome home" gift for The Blues' favourite prodigal son. 

It is of course too early to start picturing Falcao already wearing the shirt in Stamford Bridge, but it does have a certain logic. Chelsea are in desperate need of a striking star, preferably one who matches the characteristic of former legend Didier Drogba; strong in the air, quick on the ground and able to unsettle any defence with his physicality, not to mention an innate talent for scoring.

Rather more prosaically, of course, the team funded by Russian energy tycoon Roman Abramovich are one of the few teams able to fulfill the hefty release clause demanded by Atletico. Similarly to Madrid, Chelsea are planning a summer clearout, and Falcao could be the spearhead of this new-look team.

In the end, should he confirm what we all believe and move back  to West London, Mourinho will have the final word. His respect and admiration for Robert Lewandowski, for one, as a possible reinforcement is one of the only roadblocks that could possibly impede the arrival of the Colombian.

But for this writer, it is El Tigre who should be top priority for the summer. It will take a big effort from those involved with the Premier League outfit, and of course a big financial investment; but with Falcao at the very peak of his stardom and ready for the best year of his career before leading his nation into the 2014 World Cup, the time is right to complete what would be the most sensational transfer of the upcoming window.

Daniel is a football journalist based in Buenos Aires, who specialises in covering the South American game. You can follow him on twitter at @DanEdwardsGoal