Radamel Falcao – long expected to join compatriot James Rodriguez in leaving Monaco during the summer transfer window – has been strongly linked today with a season-long loan move to Liverpool, with a view to a permanent transfer thereafter. Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported that meetings between representatives of Liverpool and Monaco have taken place in Italy over the last few days, and that Liverpool are “quite a bit in the lead” for the striker’s signature.
Falcao – who missed much of last season, including Colombia’s World Cup quarterfinal run, with a damaged anterior cruciate ligament – scored 70 goals in 91 appearances for Atletico Madrid in two seasons at Vicente Calderon, and 11 in 19 for Monaco before his injury in January. Understandably, he’s one of the most sought-after attacking talents in Europe, and Liverpool are believed to face strong competition from Manchester City and Real Madrid (who else?) for his signature.
Falcao is exactly the type of signing Brendan Rodgers should be targeting, as The18 pointed out recently. However, rumors of clandestine meetings in Italian holiday destinations are a long way from a done deal, and we strongly recommend taking this news with a healthy dose of skepticism. Nevertheless, if true it at least indicates that Liverpool and Rodgers have the ambition to go after the big-time talent they need to replace Luis Suarez. If they pull it off, The18 will doth its cap to them.
