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Chelsea Transfer News: Radamel Falcao Confirms Monaco Return, Latest Rumours
June 11, 2016
Striker Radamel Falcao has confirmed he’ll be departing Stamford Bridge later this month and heading back to his parent club AS Monaco.
The Colombian scored just one goal during his time at Chelsea—a well-taken header in a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in August—and his time on the pitch was at a premium to say the least.
Falcao now has to rebuild his reputation after two frustrating seasons in the Premier League, and he said in an Instagram post that he’s looking forward to getting started again at Monaco:
“On June 24 I will start the pre-season with AS Monaco. I am excited and committed with the beginning of the training with the club.”
After a torrid spell at Manchester United in 2014/15, Falcao was a surprise addition to the Chelsea squad last summer, but his previous brilliance gave fans a sense of optimism.
Such positive feelings didn’t amount to much, though, with Diego Costa and Loic Remy ahead of the 30-year-old in the Chelsea pecking order.
Falcao is under contract in Monaco until the summer of 2018, but his astronomical wages have made the Ligue 1 side open to loan deals.
And, surprisingly, Premier League news boys Middlesbrough were said to be interested in taking the Colombian to the Riverside for the year.
Bleacher Report’s Dean Jones broke down the facts:
However, it seems Falcao’s business in England has come to its conclusion, and he now wants to prove to the world that he’s still one of the most lethal strikers around.
Elsewhere, the Blues have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi, whose wage demands may be too much for current Premier League suitors Tottenham Hotspur.
Adrian Kajumba of Daily Mirror wrote that Spurs’ highest earners currently rake in around £80,000 per week, yet Batshuayi is looking to seal a £100,000 per week salary.
And Tottenham’s reluctance to dig that deep in their pockets has opened the door for Chelsea, who could swoop for the Belgian this summer.
Bringing in a new striker is one of new manager Antonio Conte’s chief objectives ahead of the 2016/17 season, yet they need more than just a prolific frontman.
Strength in depth plagued the Blues’ campaign last time around, and fans will hope Stamford Bridge is a hive of activity over the course of the transfer window.