Fascinating article in Marca today that suggests that Radamel Falcao could be on his way to Old Trafford this summer.
According to Marca:
Sources close to both parties suggest that a down payment may have already been made as a guarantee for a future transfer.
This sequence of events is nothing new. The same thing happened two seasons ago, when David de Gea left the Vicente Calderón to become a Red Devil. The deal between the clubs had been finalised months before, no matter how much the general public and the keeper himself said otherwise. In fact, Atlético had already pocketed a large part of the total fee paid by United. In this case however, the sums in question are going to be much bigger. De Gea left for about €20m, whilst Falcao could set United back over €50m.
One of the matters still to resolve is that of the last instalment of the €40m agreed at the time and still owed by Atlético to Porto. However, in no case will Falcao’s €60m buy-out clause – inserted into the contract tying him to the club until 2016 – be paid.
Falcao is arguably the third best striker in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo. He has been strongly linked with a move to Chelsea for over a year now.
Interestingly, despite their attacking riches, United have been linked with another striker all season, usually with Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.
The issue with Falcao is where would he play in the United team? His best position is an a number 9, and what would that mean for van Persie, Welbeck and Hernandez? One option if United did sign Falcao would be to move van Persie into that number 10 role, but then you have Rooney and Kagawa playing there.
What do you think of the Falcao to United stories? Can you see Man United spending £40m on him this summer?