The transfer saga of Colombian soccer star Radamel Falcao Garcia took yet another twist on Sunday when the striker suggested he was on the verge of joining Atletico Madrid.
After playing for his current team, Portuguese champions Porto, Falcao told the media: “Atletico is a big team, with great supporters and it would be a great opportunity for my career.”
He added: “Every player thinks about going to play in England, Spain or Italy, anyone who says they wouldn’t want to is lying. I am honest, my parents taught be to be so, and I would like to play in these leagues.”
Caracol Radio reported Atletico would pay approximately $43 million for Falcao’s services, although other reports state the buyout clause in his contract has risen to $65 million.
Falcao has been at the center of a transfer battle between a number of English and Spanish clubs after a freescoring season in which he netted 39 times in 41 matches.
Falcao’s agent Claudio Mossie revealed that the English Premier League’s Chelsea, who had been the frontrunners in the race to land the forward, were put off by the size of the transfer fee.
Last week, the Portuguese press reported Falcao was on the brink of joining Athletico’s local rivals Real Madrid. However, last Wednesday, a Caracol Radio journalist, Diego Rueda, said via Twitter: “I have spoken to sources regarding Falcao and [reports about his move to] Real Madrid. It isn’t true and the player is a step away from joining Atletico Madrid.”