Elite European soccer clubs will be on red alert as Radamel Falcao’s future at Atletico Madrid was thrown into doubt following comments from the club’s general manager saying the Colombian superstar could be sold in the summer.
Falcao is one of the most highly sought-after players in the world and rumors have persisted surrounding his future at Madrid since the start of the season, although the Spanish club have always been quick to quash any talks of his exit.
However on Tuesday in an interview with Spanish radio station COPE, Miguel Angel Gil Marin revealed that Falcao could be sold to pay off some of the club’s crippling debts.
Marin made it clear that Madrid wanted to keep the 26-year-old until the summer but acknowledged that an offer which met their valuation could be hard to turn down, considering the poor financial state of the club.
Miguel Angel Gil Marin said in an interview with COPE Radio, “The 60 million euros ($77 million) Falcao would remove virtually all economic problems at Atletico.”
“I can say for sure, though, he will stay with us until the end of the season. Not only will he stay, but so will all the players that the coach wants to stay.”
The announcement is sure to rekindle the interests of English Premier League champions Manchester City and UEFA Champions League holders Chelsea, who are both reported to be favorites to land the signature of the Colombian front-man.
In fact City’s manager Roberto Mancini flew to Spain to watch a match involving Falcao earlier in the week, although afterwards the Italian quipped that he was only there to watch his son play for the opposing team.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich meanwhile is believed to be keen on luring Falcao to London ever since he scored a hat-trick against the English side in the European Super Cup at the beginning of the season.
One club Marin doesn’t believe Falcao will be heading to his city rivals Real Madrid, who he believes won’t be able to meet the player’s wage demands.
“If Atletico doesn’t get into Champions League and can’t pay what Falcao is asking, I don’t think that Madrid can cover it,” he added.
Falcao’s is currently in Colombia on international duty and is set to line up against Paraguay in a World Cup qualifier on Friday.
