Manchester United Transfer News: Radamel Falcao's Agent Fuels Juventus Rumours

Jorge Mendes, the agent behind Radamel Falcao's loan to Manchester United, has hinted the Colombian striker could join Juventus next season.

Mendes is famous for securing high-profile moves involving the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Angel Di Maria.

Falcao's loan from Monaco came as a surprise during the summer, but after a string of injuries and being dropped by Louis van Gaal, the striker's future remains in doubt. Mendes has suggested Juventus may be an option if United don't offer Falcao a full contract at the end of the season, news reported by Italian publication Mediaset (h/t 101 Great Goals):

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Falcao to Juventus? Football is always an unknown, he is a United player. He is playing a little, but I think he can have more space because he has quality. If he leaves United there will certainly be another option.

Juventus? They tried earlier in the season, he has respect for the Bianconeri, it is a great team and in football you never know.

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Four Four Two reported more from Mendes:

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Mendes is widely quoted as saying in the British media: "I don't know [where Falcao's future lies]. He is a fantastic player, and I think it's very difficult for Manchester United fans.

"They have an absolutely brilliant player, one of the very best in the world, who would without any doubt play 90 minutes of the match, every time, with any other club.

"The truth is, right now we don't know what will happen. What we do know is that he will play in one of the very best clubs in the world next season, whether that is Manchester United or not.

"I am 100 per cent sure of that. But you know how football works, we need to wait a little. We'll see what happens."

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Van Gaal's decision to leave Falcao out of his squad to face Southampton continues to be questioned. United lost Sunday's match 1-0 without registering a shot on target, detailed by Squawka:

After the match, the manager admitted Falcao's absence was tactical. In a quote reported by Paul Hirst of The Independent, Van Gaal said, "I have to decide that he is out of the 18 because I have to change, for example, (Luke) Shaw and (Angel) Di Maria."

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Ian Ladyman of The Daily Mail believes Falcao was "left stunned" by Van Gaal's decision to drop him. Ladyman suggests the former Atletico Madrid hitman "increasingly wonders if he will ever manage to truly impress" a manager who opted to include three centre-backs on the bench instead of arguably his most natural goalscorer.

The Daily Star's headline also suggested Falcao was disappointed by being overlooked, as tweeted by BBC Radio 4's Nick Sutton:

Falcao has scored three and assisted three in 13 Premier League appearances this season, per WhoScored.com. Only seven of these have been starts, and he has lasted 90 minutes just twice. All of his goals have been crucial so far, however. Falcao won United the match against Everton in October, and he notched vital equalisers against Aston Villa and Stoke along the busy Christmas schedule.

Mendes' comments may serve as a reminder of the player's expectations. Falcao is used to being the main man, someone who spearheads his side's attack. He would expect to start every week for any side in the world, and he is unlikely to wait around if he's going to regularly sit out of matches.

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United's financial investment in the player will also be scrutinised if Van Gaal repeats his lack of faith. Falcao earns £265,000 per week on his current contract, a fee United can't afford to keep spewing out if he's going to struggle to oust a misfiring Robin van Persie from the team.

Football writer Sam Pilger believes both Falcao and RvP could face greater competition if they remain at United next season:

B/R UK's Alex Dimond and Ryan Bailey recently discussed other individuals who could improve United more immediately:

Falcao's future likely depends on his performances during the second half of the season. He has proven useful so far, but his progress continues to be halted. Whether this is through a lack of fitness or Van Gaal's tactical quirks doesn't matter—the bottom line is he needs to be scoring regularly for United to drop a significant sum on securing him permanently.

Mendes knows this and is already sewing the seeds to ensure Falcao has an alternative option when the summer arrives.