Manchester United Transfer News: Radamel Falcao Revelation, Victor Valdes Latest

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao wanted to join Juventus in the summer, but the Italian giants couldn't compete with the spending power of the Red Devils, according to Juve managing director Giuseppe Marotta.

The Colombian eventually moved to Old Trafford for a reported £6 million loan fee, with his £265,000-a-week wages taking the total fee to near the £20 million mark, per the Telegraph's Mark Ogden.

However, Marotta told Italian broadcaster RAI a deal was almost struck with the Monaco forward to bring him to Turin before United stepped in with more money (h/t ESPN):

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We were very close to signing Falcao and the player preferred Italy and our colours, but then United came forward and they have much more spending power than we do so the deal broke down.

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The 28-year-old has only featured five times for Louis van Gaal's side so far this season, netting his only goal in United's 2-1 win over Everton on Oct. 5.

A knock in training kept him out of the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday, with United's official website reporting that Van Gaal believes the striker needs to be treated carefully following the serious knee injury which kept him out of the World Cup.

Jon Super/Associated Press

"We have to build Falcao up, that I have also said in the first press conference when he came to our club," Van Gaal said.

While United offered more money for Falcao, the Colombian certainly has to work for it in the Premier League, where the physicality of defenders keep strikers on their toes.

The attacking mentality of the league means Falcao has had to adjust to being kicked and manhandled by defenders, whereas the striker may have had an easier life in the more defensive Serie A.

With no European football on offer at Manchester United, Falcao's workload will be smaller than if he had joined Juve, which, coming off a serious injury, could be just what the Colombian needs.

Jon Super/Associated Press

Meanwhile, former Barcelona star Victor Valdes was at Old Trafford on Sunday, watching on from the stands as Robin van Persie scored an injury-time equaliser against Chelsea.

The goalkeeper is training with the Manchester club as he recovers from a knee injury, but according to Anthony Hay of the Daily Mail, Van Gaal is looking to bring the Spaniard in permanently in the next couple of weeks.

Manchester Evening News journalist Rob Dawson expects to see Valdes sign a contract soon:

While Anders Lindegaard has been a solid backup to David de Gea in recent years, it's clear that Valdes would bring that extra bit of experience to the squad, with three Champions League and six La Liga titles to his name.

Falcao, on the other hand, has put in some good performances for Van Gaal's side in his short time at the club, so United fans can be confident his yearning for the Italian lifestyle is not affecting his performances too much.