After various reports indicating that Radamel Falcao’s disastrous loan spell with United will not be extended, Monaco’s vice-president latest statement has come as a shock for many people as he believes that Manchester United are yet to make a decision on the Colombian, indicating that the striker may yet stay with the Reds beyond this season.
Falcao joined United on a lucrative loan deal on the transfer deadline day of last summer from AS Monaco. After his record move transfer move to the French club the previous summer, Falcao was unable to produce the same level of performance which he managed at his former clubs – Athletico Madrid and FC Porto – partly due to the lengthy injury he suffered last year which ultimately prevented him from participating at Brazil 2014.
However, his fortune did not change as the Colombian managed just the four goals so far this season. As a result of Falcao’s indifferent form has led to suggestions that his future lies elsewhere but Monaco vice-president Vasilyev said on Tuesday that United are keeping their options open, at least till the season gets over.
In a recent interview, Vasilyev said in a recent meeting, Manchester United officials were yet to informed their decision on Falcao. “I saw the Manchester United leaders [club officials] last Sunday and they have not yet decided if they will exercise the option [to sign Falcao permanently],” Vasilyev told French daily newspaper Nice-Matin.
“It’s not his best season but they retain the opportunity to talk at the end of the season. We are not in any further negotiations for the moment, even if big clubs are interested. The decision is in Manchester, then we will talk to the player to find out what he wants. I would like to have more visibility.”
Vasilyev also revealed the real reason behind the prolific Colombian striker was allowed to leave Monaco last summer and join the Reds. “He had mishaps in Monaco. He had problems with the coach (Claudio Ranieri), there was a lack of understanding; he was also seriously injured and missed the World Cup. In late August, he came to tell us that he wanted to play at a higher level,” he said.
His latest statements have not clearly indicated whether Manchester United will want to keep the misfit striker and most importantly make his loan deal into a permanent move for a ridiculous sum of a reported £43 million. However, what we can learn from his statements is that Louis Van Gaal may yet hand Falcao one final opportunity to prove his worth and then the decision may be taken at the end of the season.