Spanish soccer giants Real Madrid stepped up the chase to sign Colombian striker Radamel Falcao from rivals Atletico Madrid, reported Radio Caracol.
Half of the rights to Falcao belong to the London-based investment fund, Doyen Group, who specialize in footballers and has the right to sell Falcao after June 30, reported Caracol Radio.
Real Madrid are reported to pay the equivelent of $72 million in two installments to Atletico Madrid and the Doyen group.
Falcao is one of the most highly sought-after players in the world and rumors have persisted surrounding his future at Atletico since the start of the season.
The move by Real Madrid has been predicted for a while after Atletico hinted that any substantial offer for the striker could be hard to turn down, considering the clubs’ substantial debt problems.