FALCAO RETURNS TO SPANISH FOOTBALL | VALENCIA CF ?

English Premier League Club Manchester United & Colombian International forward Radamel Falcao interests Spanish Football Club Valencia CF. His current Club Manchester United (where he is on loan from Monaco) will not make effective the buying option, therefore Falcao has to return to his club of origin.

There are several clubs that are following Falcao, but the desire of the Colombian striker would be either continue in the Premier League or to return to Spanish Football, he keeps very good memories of his time at Atletico de Madrid. And it is here where Valencia could have options; in addition, the representative of Falcao, Jorge Mendes, has a very good relationship with Valencia owner Peter Lim. The main handicap is the high salary Falcao receives, although the player might be willing to lower it to smooth any possible transfer operation. Jorge Mendes will move in the next few days to see if he can put forward a plan & a transfer operation that suits Monaco, Falcao & the best placed & interested Club.

Stay tuned!

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ANGEL DI MARIA & RADAMEL FALCAO SHATTERED REAL MADRID DREAMS

The names Radamel Falcao & Angel Di Maria have sounded heavily all summer within the Spanish Football Sports media & particularly linked with Real Madrid. The first for his "obsessive desire" to play at Real Madrid & the latter for his wish to leave said Club. Connected fates, Real Madrid for both & the some representative Jorge Mendes who will play his part.

The end result, Falcao saw his dream shattered & ended up in Manchester United, & Di Maria left but admitting he did not want to leave but pushed out. In both cases, both players have "spewed" some bad blood towards Real Madrid & seem to be expressing their ill-feeling. Their disappointment is obvious, the fact is Real Madrid did not fold to their demands, & in some sense their "black-mail".

So what happened to shatter dreams? Money. The Di Maria case was obvious, the Falcao case was indirectly, a badly played strategy.

Manchester United has now Radamel Falcao, a loan that will turn into a +60M€ buy-out next season. The arrival announcement from the player to English Press was that "he dreamt of playing at Manchester United". This has made many laugh here in Spain & illustrates the "white-lies" syndrome that most Football players are afflicted. If your a Man Utd. fan, don´t hold it against the man, but it was never the objective to end up at Manchester.

The number one objective of Falcao, his true dream & desire of was always Real Madrid. The player & his representative did everything to get Real Madrid to sign the Colombian. They applied daily pressure & media manipulation in Italian, French, Portuguese & Spanish Sports press to keep the pressure on. The players inner circle even manipulated social media channels announcing "news" that Real Madrid had signed the player to later eliminate the comment & claim they were hacked. 

The truth is that Real Madrid & Coach Ancelotti did not want Falcao. Not the profile needed, the team does not play to wingers crosses into a heading centre forward. Karim Benzema is their chosen Centre Forward, the Frenchman is undisputed & with a more creative, back playing & setting up wingers profile. The team did not wish a "super star" - Falcao - to ruffle the dressing room feathers with sitting on the bench whining & a huge super salary. All this plus a recent knee injury that placed "doubts", even Man Utd. made Falcao pass twice a medical exam due to his knee before announcing his signing.

Falcao could have ended up earlier in Real Madrid, but chose Monaco for the money, 14M€ a year. This is a fact.

The truth is that the player is not being to honest about things with his comments - & his fathers comments to media. The tragedy for Falcao is that his decisions again will not allow him to be seen in any European competition indicating at the very least, bad strategic planning. Or does it? He does have his money after all.

Lastly talking about money & "dishonesty", we have been delivered on a nearly daily basis personal comments from ex Real Madrid player Angel Di Maria with certain "nastiness" aimed at his ex Club. The now Manchester United player expressed in a "bitter" letter to Spanish media & again in media interview that:

• he never wished to leave Real Madrid,
• it had to do about being appreciated & valued by the Club,
• that he was pushed out by Club Directives, especially Club President Perez.

The truth is, that Angel Di Maria wanted 8M€/year salary & the Club offered 6M€. Added to this the Argentine did not look at favourably the arrivals of Gareth Bale & later James Rodriguez with better fanfare, salary conditions & ... more competition for the midfield positions. What is also conveniently forgotten by the player were the continual "poker stances" with the Club, a deliberated "go slow" attitude on the field to pressure for his demands, & messages to the Real Madrid stadium & their members with "touch my balls" gestures & sobbing substitutions gestures. Overall not very professional.   

In both cases this summer - Falcao & Di Maria - Real Madrid was being pressured by their shared representative Jorge Mendes who distorted Sporting contacts & Football media around Europe to manipulate public opinion - especially the Real Madrid fan base - to give into his players demands.  In the end Real Madrid chose to stand firm, sanitize their financial balance sheets & send a clear message internally that no player is bigger than the Institution, the Club will not be "pressured". 

I finish with those other players who recently attempted a similar "dangerous" strategy of pushing Real Madrid to the limits & lost. The names of ex Real Madrid players like Robinho, Higuain & Ozil - just to mention three - comes to mind, players that have now lost World Football exposure & prestige. Their inner circles claim "in privately" that perhaps they made the wrong decision. They did get their money of course, but left the biggest Club in World Football. They decided to step down from the Football Olympus voluntarily after dedicating their Football life to achieve it. Falcao was close & Di Maria may join the long list of players full of later regrets. The money will soften the blow, but we the public need to be "smart" enough to distinguish between reality from player manufactured illusions. A practice as old as the devil himself.

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REAL MADRID ACTIVATES INTEREST OF MARCO REUS ?

German International & Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus continues grabbing Spanish Sports & Football media attention. The player was connected with Atletico de Madrid early last week, which was later rejected by the Club as media hype, & FC Barcelona has been said to be closing in on the player.

However, latest news indicates that Real Madrid has entered the picture. The Spanish Football Club has new fresh money - around 80M€ - from the Angel Di Maria transfer to Manchester United & they may use part of it to sign Marco Reus. In fact some insiders have let known that the Real Madrid - Marco Reus connection comes from way back & that their may have been a verbal agreement between both parties.

Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti has said that the Club will not make more signings but with new cash & a Golden opportunity to sign a "Top" player (& not allow their rival Barça to sign) this statement may go out the window. The player has a bargain basement 25M€ release clause which makes Reus hot property in the European Football Market.

The only negative aspect is that Real Madrid has a "midfield" saturation situation which the Angel Di Maria exit helps to "calm the waters". Will Reus go to Real Madrid knowing that the competition at this moment does not guarantee regular playing time? Stay tuned!

Lastly, on another note, Monaco forward Falcao is also said to be on the list of Real Madrid before the transfer window shuts on the 31st of August (news out from France). This rumour has been going on for months & has gone cold as quickly. The latest from local media sources is that Marco Reus is a more important priority for Real Madrid at this point than Falcao.

Lets see want happens.


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REAL MADRID - RADAMEL FALCAO CLOSE

The continuing & constant background murmur connecting Colombian & Monaco forward Radamel Falcao with Real Madrid lifts in volume. The on, the off again transfer signals have now received a ...back on again ...push with French Sports paper "L´Equipe" firing the rumour. According to the French paper, Real Madrid has negotiations well ahead with Monaco & apparently Falcao is very close to signing with Real Madrid.

The only doubt that Real Madrid has at this moment is the state of the players knee injury. The Spanish Football Club wants evidence that Falcao has fully recovered & will be able to operate at 100%. Today´s match between Monaco & Spanish Club Valencia CF in the "Emirates Cup" will be Falcao´s first match since injuring his knee & will be watched closely by Real Madrid scouts. A good performance today by Falcao could wash away all doubts & accelerate the negotiations to get Falcao over to Real Madrid.

The same French paper however did not mention economic figures in a possible transfer. Monaco bought Falcao from Atletico de Madrid for 60M€. Stay tuned!

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JAMES RODRIGUEZ & REAL MADRID | LATEST NEWS

With the elimination of Colombia from the World Cup we lose seeing 22 year old James Rodriguez currently leading the goalscoring tally with 6 goals & the "new sensation" of World Soccer. However, the exhibition by the Monaco forward has lit the lights of the mayor European Clubs & speculation is ramped that the Colombian may be headed to a new Club next season.

James Rodriguez himself set his own course with repeated comments that his wish was to end up at Real Madrid. A signal that the Spanish Football Club has received & is delighted with as it is usually a pre-requisite that Real Madrid President Florentino Perez desires from candidates.  

The latest news comes out of  Spanish Sports daily "Marca". The source comments that the players representative Jorge Mendes has already had a meeting with Real Madrid to express that a transfer operation is possible. The price that Mendes transmitted to Real Madrid was 75M€ & that the player earns 5M€/year at Monaco.

Real Madrid transmitted their initial interest & also let know that the Club would pay 50M€ ...no more than 60M€, that their main priority at this moment is a midfielder who is Bayern Munich & German International Toni Kroos. The Spanish Club also said they have no rush to jump into signing players & will take things with calmness. As expected the players representative let know that Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspurs & Napoli are also interested, to which Real Madrid responded that they are the current European Champions.

The inclusion of players in a possible operation with Monaco could be an option to lower the transfer price. Young Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata is liked by Monaco, although he prefers Juventus FC. Argentine forward Angel Di Maria is also liked but Manchester United & Paris St Germain have higher offers. In any case, Real Madrid signing James Rodriguez will depend on Di Maria or another midfielder leaving the Club beforehand & until then "negotiations" will be on stand-by.

Lastly ,staying with Monaco & possible transfers, the Radamel Falcao option has gone cold. Real Madrid will bet on Karim Benzema as their forward for next season. The Club had Luis Suarez as their Nº1 striker option for next season but changed their minds putting their faith in Benzema & eliminating Suarez as an option after the "bitting incident". This allowed FC Barcelona to enter the picture & the latter is currently close to shutting a transfer deal for the Uruguayan. 

In a nutshell, stay tuned in coming weeks on the transfer front. I am sure their will be great & surprising news. The James Rodriguez - Real Madrid option is open & it is a possibility.

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LUIS SUAREZ - RADAMEL FALCAO LATEST NEWS | SPANISH FOOTBALL

The big Spanish Football Clubs are making their moves to shut & securing their main signing priorities for season 2014 - 2015. FC Barcelona has put Liverpool FC striker Luis Suarez as its main priority while Real Madrid CF seems to have focused on Monaco striker Radamel Falcao. Most of the Spanish Sports papers have been running with these stories for the past weeks & both have been gaining in strength along with credibility in the last few days.

The latest with Luis Suarez is that FC Barcelona representatives are in London at this moment negotiating with Liverpool FC. According to English paper "The Guardian" Barça has put up an initial offer of 70MGBP, that is around 89M€. Big figure that for the moment does not include any Barça player, although Liverpool FC may like the idea of Alexis Sanchez & thus lower the price for FC Barcelona.

This last "petition" by Liverpool FC depends if Alexis Sanchez accepts the move. The Chilean International is also desired by Arsenal FC & it seems Atletico de Madrid has also asked about the forward. Insiders indicate that the Chilean wants to stay at FC Barcelona.

Negotiations continue...

At Real Madrid everything indicates that the Spanish Football Club will make a bet on Colombian International & Monaco forward Radamel Falcao. In this particular case there is less "official" news coming out of Real Madrid while all the "talk" seems to be coming out of the players inner circle.

It is speculated that Monaco will facilitate the exit of Falcao & adhere to his wish to get back to Spanish Football, but at a reasonable price for Monaco. Insider comment that Monaco would look at with interest including Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata in the operation. However, Morata is very close to Italian Club Juventus & the players choice is Italy.

With Falcao there is no mention of transfer conditions or a firm players agreement. As said the "hype" is more a press generated phenomenon than a Club announced open move. Everyone however is confident that the operation will go through & Falcao end up at Real Madrid next season

Lastly, the name of another Colombian James Rodriguez is gaining hype-talk & association with Real Madrid. Stay tuned on this possible front in coming weeks.

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JAMES RODRIGUEZ LINKED TO REAL MADRID? IT IS MORE LIKE FALCAO

James Rodriguez, 22 year old French Club Monaco & Colombian International forward is currently the sensation of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil & of World Soccer. The player has currently 5 goals & if his National Team can keep on advancing & he keeps on scoring James Rodriguez will eclipse Neymar & Messi. 

The comments given to Spanish Radio "Cope" post-match after defeating Uruguay 2-0 has set on fire the World & Spanish Football speculation-rumour treadmill. James Rodriguez said:
"I would love to play in Spain,"..."It would be a dream to play there - it is the best league in the world."
When pressed by Spanish Radio "Cope" journalist..."I like more Real Madrid than Barcelona".

Immediately the World & Spanish Sports press began making hypothetical scenarios about a James Rodriguez & Real Madrid link & possible signing effort by the latter. Plus the fact that the player s representative is Jorge Mendes, the same as for Cristiano Ronaldo, Pepe, Coentrao, Di Maria ...etc., has also added fuel to comments. Although in Football - & with Real Madrid - nothing is impossible those chances are slim, if not non-existent at this moment. 

The current real interest by Real Madrid for their forward line is apparently another player & a team-mate not at the World Cup. There are strong rumours & indications that point directly to Radamel Falcao for next season.

Stay tuned!

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LOOKING FOR A STRIKER | FC BARCELONA - REAL MADRID CF

Leaving aside the Luis Suarez "biting incident" & his severe FIFA sanction, the news is that FC Barcelona remains interested in signing the Uruguayan striker. The Barcelona based Spanish Sports papers are very adamant that Luis Suarez has given his OK to FC Barcelona & that the latter now only needs to begin negotiations with Liverpool FC. Barça from their end wish to take advantage of the Luis Suarez "biting rage" & force Liverpool to lower their initial asking price of around 85M€ to around 50M€. The Spanish Football Club feels that Liverpool FC is in a "must sell" phase after Suarez sank his teeth into Italian defender Chiellini.

However, other Football observers claim that Luis Suarez is NOT the Nº1 priority of FC Barcelona for their forward line. It is claimed that Napoli & Argentine International Gonzalo Higuain is the main target. It is claimed that Barça retired Captain - & now Club Nº2 Football Director - Carles Puyol shut an agreement with Higuain weeks back, & that it was now a case between Clubs to negotiate. Plus, Coach Luis Enrique & Club Directives want to keep Messi "happy" after losing "best mate" Pinto & Cesc Fabregas, with his current Argentine team-mate.

Luis Suarez, with this news piece, is the alternative for Barcelona, & some Club Directives are questioning the signing option with all the fracas associated with Suarez.  

The other option for Luis Suarez to play in Spanish Football is Real Madrid. The Spanish Football Club is patiently watching events as their main objective is to renew the contract of Karim Benzema. The Club is satisfied with their current forward line-up of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale & Benzema (the BBC). There is talk that Alvaro Morata may leave for Juventus FC & if so Real Madrid may sign a "young talent" instead of a consolidated striker. 

It is rumoured that neither Coach Ancelotti nor Cristiano Ronaldo feel comfortable with the possible arrival of Luis Suarez as his inclusion may ruffle feathers at the dressing room level. Said this a new forward has entered the picture - again - in the name of Monaco & Colombian International Radamel Falcao. 

Falcao seems to be confident that Real Madrid will make an effort this summer to sign him for next season. It has been written that Falcao has told Colombian (squad) friends that he is really close to Real Madrid for next season. 

In any case,  there is plenty of time to shut all these deals. I would think that the mayor Clubs will allow time to expire & thus make nervous players & their respective Clubs. Once nerve set in, the pretending Clubs can better leverage their position & bargaining strength to get their way.

Stay tuned, very interesting weeks ahead for Higuain, Suarez & Falcao.

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THE MANCHESTER CITY-MONACO-REAL MADRID-FALCAO-MENDES MADRID DINNER

Curious & attention grabbing event last night in Madrid. The background is the following, a dinner in one of Madrid´s famous restaurants with the following guests all around the same table:

• Falcao ( Player of Monaco )
• Jorge Mendes ( representative of Falcao - & Di Maria )
• Txiki Begiristain ( Football Director of Manchester City)
• Dmitry Rybolovlev ( Owner of Monaco )
• Peter Lim ( Asian Magnate )
• Florentino Perez ( President of Real Madrid CF )

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez joined the dinner last & stayed for around 20 minutes according to the insiders. Obviously this has lead to all types of speculations & Football rumour. What surprises me was that it was not exactly a very "private" place to keep things under wraps, except if those involved wanted to deviate information & let us all into a dead end.

Whatever the true reasons, the local Football observers have put forward this interesting theory that has to do with transfers & signings next season. Real Madrid would transfer Di Maria over to Monaco, in return Monaco would transfer Radamel Falcao to Manchester City which finally, Manchester City would transfer Sergio Aguero to Real Madrid.  Wooow, right?

The fact is we don't know, just that the dinner did occur last night in a Madrid restaurant with all the mentioned European Football "Heavyweights". Stay tuned! 

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REAL MADRID | RADAMEL FALCAO - KARIM BENZEMA NEWS

Real Madrid President Florentino Perez went on late night TV last Monday to clear up some incorrect reports about the back condition of new signing Gareth Bale & ended up opening the Radamel Falcao can. When asked about the current Colombian & Monaco forward by the journalists the Real Madrid President answered that Falcao was an excellent player & he had first hand knowledge that Falcao wished to play at Real Madrid. The news obviously reached Falcao & when asked the Colombian was very well mannered & just said that he knew nothing & had a contract with Monaco were he was happy. 

The above is the "official & politically correct" line. What is being commented behind the scenes by Football observers & insiders is that Falcao ( especially his wife ) is not happy at Monaco & misses the city of Madrid. In fact they still have a house in the Spanish Capital & this equates with the second speculation. That Radamel Falcao will be the new Real Madrid signing for next season.

Radamel Falcao going to Monaco is being called a "bridge signing" or a "boomerang signing". It is being said that Real Madrid has a verbal agreement with the Monaco forward & the player has an "exit clause" in his Monaco contract which contemplates a move to Real Madrid. All that has to be done is that Real Madrid pay Monaco what the French League Club paid for the Colombian. That is , around 50 - 55M€ & the ex Atletico de Madrid forward can go back "home" & to his desired new Club. Real Madrid would have signed Falcao for this season but could not finance signing both Gareth Bale & Falcao.  

Although both parts deny any news of pre-agreements & exit clauses etc., most Football insiders take it for granted that Falcao will end up at Real Madrid. My question is if the Colombian stars at the upcoming 2014 World Cup with his country, will 55M€ be too little?

Meanwhile the current Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema is also in the local spotlight for not scoring, being way below form & because his future could be in England. There is existing rumbling at Real Madrid that the Frenchman is performing below expectations & should be sold, or at least the Club should listen to offers if they arrive. 

From England comes the rumour which is a strong speculation in Spain that a English Club , Manchester United is rumoured , could be preparing a 45M€ offer for Karim Benzema. The current Man Utd forward Wayne Rooney may not last another season - he was close to Chelsea FC pre-season - & the English Club sees Benzema as the natural substitution.   Nothing new as Manchester United has always had Benzema on their agenda before & after the forward signed for Real Madrid.

This is a story that will be continued & I will be following in coming months. 

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REAL MADRID | FALCAO - LUIS SUAREZ "ON HOLD" JUST IN CASE

The "Transfer Window" has just closed & we are already in full flight for the next player transfer-signing window opportunity fixed for the 1st of January 2014 ( "Winter Market" ), in this particular case, in reference to Spanish Football giant Real Madrid.

Spanish Sports media picks up today on comments & rumours that have been doing the rounds these last weeks. Real Madrid has a real concern with their current forward Karim Benzema. The French International is not performing,  nor scoring goals as expected from a talent of his dimension. Many have voiced continuously that the true priority signing this season was a "pure Number Nine".

The names of Falcao, Suarez & Lewandowski have been sounding for months but in the end nothing came from the rumours. 

Now the news is that Real Madrid has 50M€ in "reserve" for the upcoming "Winter Market" in case Karim Benzema does not live up to expectations. Plus with the departure of Higuain, Real Madrid has only the youngsters Morata & Jese to fill any emergency gap.

Luis Suarez ( Liverpool FC ) & Radamel Falcao ( Monaco ) are still spinning around the orbit of "planet" Real Madrid. So much so, that in the case of Falcao some "insiders" say that there is a contract clause that releases Falcao from Monaco if Real Madrid makes an offer. 

In any case, pure rumour & speculation at this stage, but worth keeping an eye out during these months. Football changes on a weekly basis & nerves set in quickly at the Clubs. A bad start "streak" in Liga, bad start in Champions League or a serious injury to Benzema could set the alarms ringing at Real Madrid & put into motion "surprising & emergency actions".

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FALCAO CLOSE TO SIGNING WITH MONACO - WITH A "CATCH"

Atletico de Madrid Colombian forward Radamel Falcao is on the verge of signing with French Club Monaco. Spanish media speculate it could be today. However, most are baffled at why the "Best Nº 9 in Europe" wants to sign with a Club that will not be in Champions League or in European competition.

Here are the reported reasons:

• 60M€ transfer to Atletico de Madrid ( plus the commissions to all parties )
• 10M€ / year net for Falcao 

Here is the interesting bit. According to Spanish media, Falcao has introduced a clause in his contract with very specific instructions. Spanish Sports paper "Marca" says it a one year contract with Monaco, other say that if Real Madrid or Chelsea FC show interest around the 1st of Janaury 2014 ( Winter Market ) & offer to buy the player for the same conditions as Monaco ( 60M€ + 10M€ salary ) , the French Club would have to let him go.

The 27 year old forward accepts a possible "dry year" without European Football , but leaves wide open a short-tern move to either Real Madrid or Chelsea FC.

Stay tuned. Until things are not made official the above is pure rumour.

OFFICIAL : FALCAO SIGNS FOR MONACO

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FALCAO - VALDES IN MONACO TO SIGN ?

News in from "France Press" informes that Atletico de Madrid forward Radamel Falcao & FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes are correctly in Monaco ( France ). The rumours of the signing by Monaco look like they may become reality - according to French Press - as both players may undergo tomorrow the medical exams needed before formally signing with the newly Liga 1 French Club.

The transfer figure for Falcao is speculated to be 60M€ that will go to Atletico de Madrid. It is also rumoured that Monaco wants Valdes as their goalkeeper for next season.

Monaco has big plans under their rich Russian owner & have already signed Colombian James Rodriguez & Joao Moutinho. France press "L´Equipe" has also added that Real Madrid Portuguese defender Carvalho is also on the Monaco list of signings

All the above is from French media & nothing is official, please keep this in mind. Yesterday there was news that Chelsea FC was making a last bid for Falcao.

Stay tuned!

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ATLETICO DE MADRID | WHO WILL REPLACE FALCAO ?

It seems clear that Atletico de Madrid forward Radamel Falcao will be leaving at the end of the season. What´s not confirmed is where but there are a few Clubs being mentioned, Monaco, Chelsea FC, Manchester City & Paris St Germain, with the first two more favourite than the others.

Atletico de Madrid obviously have to work - & have been - to find a substitute forward that will fill the "big" space that Falcao will leave vacant. Names are already been sounding & are appearing in Football press.

First name to hit the papers was FC Barcelona forward David Villa, but it seems that the Spanish International will go to the English Premier League with Tottenham Hotspurs or Arsenal FC battling out between themselves to convince the player.

Second name that is sounding is Luis Suarez of Liverpool FC, an old desire of Atletico de Madrid. Apparently there are negotiations going on but money maybe a serious obstacle.

Thirdly, Spanish International & Sevilla FC forward Alvaro Negredo has offered himself for next season as he desires to play in Champions League & is an option.

Lastly, the name of Brazilian International & Russian Club Zenit forward Hulk has appeared on the scene. The Brazilian is not happy in Russia & looks favourably a move to Liga. The big obstacle here is the 60M€ that Zenit paid recently for the player.

In conclusion there are two current viable options: Luis Suarez & Alvaro Negredo. Stay tuned!

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HAS FALCAO ALREADY SIGNED WITH MONACO FOR 60M€ ?

News out of Colombia, from Radio NC, communicates that Atletico de Madrid & Colombian International forward Radamel Falcao has signed with new promoted Liga 1 French Club Monaco for 60M€. There has been talk theses days that Monaco has got in the front seat ahead of other Clubs like PSG & Chelsea FC & that they were serious.

It is not official & one would suspect that nothing will be said until after the Spanish Cup Final this Friday against Real Madrid. I personally am bewildered with the choice from Falcao as I deem it a "step backwards" in his career, with all due respects to Monaco. The French Club will not be in Europe next season so the player will not be on the European Football stage. This leads me to suspect that we all definitely need to await an official & reliable Club announcement as we could be still in for a surprise.

It is rumoured as well that Monaco will also "go after" FC Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes. Stay tuned!
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REAL MADRID | KHEDIRA TO FOLLOW MOURINHO TO CHELSEA FC ?

Most Football observers, locally & overseas ( the UK especially ) take it for granted that current Coach of Real Madrid Jose Mourinho will leave at the end of the season for English Premier League Club Chelsea FC. José Mourinho has not said it officially as yet & in Football as with the personality in question everything is possible & the Portuguese Coach could decide to stay in Madrid, but nearly everyone doubts it. 

Now everyone is speculating on the plans that Jose Mourinho has for Chelsea FC for next season, especially in the signing area. First indication is that Frank Lampard will stay another season as the "coming of Mou" was one of his pre-requisites. Atletico de Madrid goalkeeper Courtois, on loan from Chelsea FC, was called up by "Mou" to join him next season to be second to Petr Chech, but Courtois prefers to stay another year at Atletico de Madrid.

From England the news picked up locally is that Mourinho wants to take with him his "box to box" midfielder currently at Real Madrid, Sami Khedira. Real Madrid signed the player from Stuttgart for 14M€ & now could sell him for around 25M€. Mourinho considers that the Chelsea midfield needs to be strengthen as the area is full of "veterans". However, Real Madrid & their "new Coach" may have something to say in this area.

Another name sounding , although its rumour, is Radamel Falcao of Atletico de Madrid. Although in the last weeks French Clubs Monaco & Paris St Germain have gained ground & favoured positions.

More news soon about Mourinho & possible Spanish based players that may join him - if he goes - at Chelsea FC next season.

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AT MADRID | FALCAO OFF TO MONACO ?

More news on Atletico de Madrid striker Falcao, this time from Spanish TV news "LaSexta". They claim that the Colombian International will be heading to French Club Monaco. The French Club will return next season to Liga 1 & the Club has Russian multi-millionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev is injecting plenty of cash into the Club. The new owner wishes to put back to "glory days" into Monaco with an aggressive policy  ( 200 M€ ) of new star signings. The possible partner up front could be Carlos Tevez of Manchester City. 

It is rumoured 10M€ / year will be the salary for Falcao.

Said this, the other rumoured new Club next season for Falcao is Chelsea FC. It has been said that José Mourinho gave orders to sign the forward for next season.

So there you have it, suspense in the "Falcao" case, while the player locally still says he wishes to stay at Atletico de Madrid. Football people are funny.

Meanwhile out of the city of Barcelona, observers say Monaco also is thinking about FC Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes.

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AT MADRID TO OFFER 28M€ FOR UDINESE FORWARD LUIS MURIEL ?

News out of Italy, concretely the paper "La Gazetta dello Sport", comments that Spanish Soccer Club Atletico de Madrid has found a substitute player for current striker Radamel Falcao. The story picked up locally by Spanish Sports daily "AS", mentions Colombian & Udinese forward Luis Muriel is the chosen player as Atletico takes it as a given that Falcao will leave at the end of the season.

Atletico de Madrid will formally make a 28M€ offer to Udinese for the 22 year old striker. However, as with most talented players there is competition from Juventus & Napoles.Luis Muriel has Spanish Football experience, he played as a very young promise for Granada in season 2010- 2011.

As with almost all transfer news circulating they are speculations & rumour. Although Atletico de Madrid & most observers see Falcao departing at the end of the season, the player himself has not formally announced an exit & has been quoted as saying he plans to stay true to his current contract. 

Stay tuned!

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MANCHESTER UNITED ABOUT TO CLOSE FALCAO ?

New twist to the ongoing rumours about a possible next season destination for Atletico de Madrid Colombian International striker Radamel Falcao. The player was last said to be close to Chelsea FC but today Spanish Sports daily "Marca" claim that English giant Manchester United has entered the scene in a very big way.

Negotiations are advanced, so much so, that the Sports newspaper speculates that an up-front payment may have already been made. The Atletico de Madrid forward has a price tag of between 55-60M€, of which Manchester United could be manoeuvring to get closer to 55M€ in transfer payment.

From a non-journalist point of view, & out of the "Marca" marketing machine, I only ask if this has any real strength when you consider that Manchester United has Van Persie & Wayne Rooney upfront already. Without taking away any "journalistic uncover work" from the story I could also imagine this begin a filtered news boost to strengthen the players negotiating position with Chelsea if indeed they are close as said in the last weeks. News of this type reaching Chelsea FC officials could soften the Clubs stance knowing that a direct rival was interfering in "their" negotiations.

Either way its another possibility for a player who is an absolute guarantee of goals & one of the Best in The World at his job. No doubt more will be unveiled in coming weeks & months.

Stay tuned!

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REAL MADRID | SERGIO AGUERO NUMBER ONE SIGNING OBJECTIVE ?

Sergio Aguero is eclipsing what was before a "done deal" with Falcao. According to Spanish Sports news daily "AS", Argentine & Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is the number one objective for Real Madrid next season.

Sergio Aguero, as said before in previous posts, desires to leave England more for personal reasons than professional. The separation with is wife who has not adapted to the "English way of life" has taken his son Benjamin back to his family home in Madrid. This personal situation has affected his game & he is not performing at his best level.

Real Madrid has a "moral debt" with the player after withdrawing from a "shut-case" signing promise after intense & fierce pressure from rival Club Atletico de Madrid. This left Sergio Aguero in "no-mans-land" & ended up in Manchester City. However some observers comment that it was pre-planned as a "bridge Club" & now its time to get back the Argentine after two seasons in England.

Manchester City needs to sell for the money in order to comply with the FIFA Financial Fair Play rules which punishes Clubs with high debt & limits players salaries. Manchester City began getting itself in line with the FIFA rule selling Mario Balotelli to AC Milan, & Sergio Aguero could be next in line ( not to mention talk on Yaya Toure).

Atletico de Madrid forward Falcao was earlier this season on the Real Madrid list of objectives & seemed a done deal, but Chelsea FC has in the last month made an aggressive move that puts them in the front position to sign the Colombian for next season.

Stay tuned!

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