Atletico Madrid have confirmed their interest in Porto striker Falcao and acknowledged the deal could lead to Diego Forlan’s departure.
GettyImagesRadamel Falcao has stated his desire to join Atletico Madrid
• Falcao keen on Atleti move
Atletico are currently rebuilding the squad following the sale of Sergio Aguero to Manchester City, and Falcao recently confirmed he would welcome a move to the Rojiblancos.
Reports in several Portuguese newspapers say Porto have been left stunned by Falcao’s statement, while Atleti president Enrique Cerezo told Rádio Renascença: “Of course I’m happy to hear a player say he wants to play here.”
Forlan has long been linked with a move away from the Vicente Calderon and, with Inter Milan said to have expressed an interest as they seek a replacement for exit-bound Samuel Eto’o, general manager Miguel Angel Gil Marin has suggested a deal could be possible.
“At the moment we are not interested in selling Forlan, since we have already lost Aguero, but we are currently trying to buy Falcao from Porto,” he said on FCInter1908.it. “If we were to close that deal, we would listen to offers for Forlan.”
Atletico have also been tipped to sign Espanyol striker Pablo Osvaldo, and Madrid-based newspaper AS believes Forlan would welcome the chance of a fresh start at Inter.