Blues Close in on £46m Falcao

Blues Close in on £46m Falcao

Posted: Apr 25, 2013

Falcao heading to Chelsea in £46m deal as Abramovich gives green light to land Atletico hitman on £200,000 a week .
Chelsea believe they have won the race to land Atletico Madrid centre forward Radamel Falcao.

Talks with the Colombian’s representatives and Atletico chiefs have been ongoing for months, but Chelsea think they are close to signing him.

The London club have turned down a potential summer move for long-term target Edinson Cavani to focus on getting Falcao’s signature secured.

Roman Abramovich has given the green light to a financial package understood to be worth £200,000 a week and will also meet Atletico’s  £46million asking price.

Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Courtois is central to the transfer negotiations. The Belgian has impressed on a season-long loan at Atletico and the Spanish club are keen to keep the 20-year-old.

Chelsea’s coaching team believe Courtois would benefit from a loan spell at a Barclays Premier League club next season as they groom him to be Petr Cech’s replacement. But they are willing to give the thumbs up to another season-long spell in the Spanish capital for the keeper to aid their quest to land Falcao.

Chelsea are so committed to signing the Falcao, 27, this summer that they have spurned the chance to negotiate a deal for Cavani, 26. The Uruguayan has long been a favourite of owner Abramovich and technical director Michael Emenalo.
The Napoli forward’s representatives recently approached Chelsea officials about a potential summer switch, indicating Stamford Bridge would be Cavani’s preferred destination should he move to England.

But Chelsea waived the option given their commitment to the Falcao deal and their move for Bayer Leverkusen forward Andre Schurrle, 22. -------------------------- Complete Sports