Colombia’s top striker, Radamel Falcao, might be on his way out of Monaco just three months after joining the club from Atletico Madrid for $80 million in what was one of the biggest moves of the transfer window, reported soccer website Marca Sunday.
Although Falcao, who scored a penalty in Sunday’s 4-1 win over Montpellier, has rejected reports that he wants to leave, Spain newspaper Marca reports that he is unhappy with the Monaco board, who he believes lured him to the club under false pretenses.
First, the striker signed a contract worth an alleged $20 million per year, $5 million more than the next best offer, but is set to lose half of it with proposed changes to the French tax system.
France’s President, Francois Hollande, wants high-earners in Monaco to pay France’s 50% top rate of tax. The principality has traditionally been exempt from such tax. Falcao reportedly believed that his salary would be tax-free.
Second, the striker was assured by the club’s billionaire Russian owner, Dmitry Rybolovlev, that a star-studded squad would be formed around him. But the tax changes could see the exodus of high-profile summer signings like Moutinho and James Rodriguez.
Spain’s Marca reports that Falcao wants out before the transfer deadline on September 2nd. “The Tiger” has allegedly been offered to Real Madrid, but they rebuffed the offer on account of the pending deal with Tottenham for Gareth Bale, for whom the Spanish giants offered a world record $134 million.
Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have previously shown interest in the striker, who scored 32 goals for Atletico Madrid last season.
If Chelsea’s attempt to prize Wayne Rooney away from United fails, they may set their sights on Falcao, and if Rooney does move, then United may want to reinforce by bringing in the Colombian goal-machine. Arsenal could also make a sensational move for the striker after transfer target Gonzalo Higuain went to Napoli and Liverpool threw cold water on the their attempts to sign Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez.
Monaco manager Claudio Ranieri insists Falcao, who recently became a father, will not be leaving: “They are just rumours. Falcao is staying here, he’s happy and his daughter was born here.”
MORE: Falcao becomes father to baby girl
Falcao also denied the reports: “Everything is false. Even the amounts that people are saying are false. I believe in the project here. I’m staying at Monaco.”
His penalty came after a bursting run down the right wing by Argentine Luis Ocampo, who lifted the ball over the defender’s head before sprinting down the right wing and into the box. Chasing defender Siaka Tiene could only chop him down from behind, leaving Falcao to stroke the ball into the bottom left corner from the penalty spot.
Emmanual Riviere added a hat-trick to leave Monaco in second place in Ligue 1 after 2 games played. They trail Olympique Lyonnais by goal difference.