Manchester United are still weighing up the possibility of turning Radamel Falcao’s loan from Monaco into a permanent deal, his parent club has revealed.
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The Ligue 1 outfit’s vice-president Vadim Vasilyev told French newspaper Nice-Matin that the Red Devils could yet swoop for the Colombia international this summer, in a deal that would set them back £43.5m.
Vasilyev, who revealed that several “great clubs” have expressed an interest in buying his client, said: “I saw the Manchester United people last Sunday and they have not yet decided if they would exercise the option. It’s not his best season, but they kept the opportunity to make a decision at the end of the season.”
Despite arriving at Old Trafford with the reputation of a lethal finisher, albeit one coming back from a serious knee injury, he has disappointed in England, with only four Premier League goals to his name.
He has failed to secure a regular starting berth in Louis van Gaal’s side despite a relative lack of options up front, and has remained on the substitutes’ bench for the most part despite team-mate Robin van Persie being sidelined with an ankle injury since February 21.
Falcao was handed a rare start in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge at the weekend, when he again drew a blank, spurning a good opportunity in the second half by slamming the ball against the woodwork after being put clean through on goal.
The hefty transfer fee attached to any permanent transfer would represent a big gamble by a club still struggling to get the best out of another expensive acquisition, Angel Di Maria, who joined for £59.7m from Real Madrid last summer.