Paris: Monaco's spending spree looks set to continue with the club's sporting director confident he can sign Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao, one of the hottest properties in world football.
"Things are progressing well, but it's not finalized yet, there are still some details to sort out. We really want to complete the transfer of this great player," Vadim Vasilyev said Thursday on French radio station RMC. "He is among the best players in the world, we will be very happy when he signs. He really believes in the future of Monaco."
Monaco, who are owned by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev, was promoted to the topflight in France after winning the second division this season and is flexing their muscles in the transfer market. Last week, they signed Portugal midfielder Joao Moutinho and Colombia international James Rodriguez from FC Porto for a combined 70 million euros.
Portuguese defender Ricardo Carvalho has also joined from Real Madrid on a free transfer.
Falcao has scored 52 league goals in the past two seasons for Atletico. He recently helped the club win the Copa del Rey, beating Real Madrid 2-1 on its crosstown rival's home soil.
The cost of the transfer is estimated at 50 million euros to 60 million euros. According to some reports, there would be a clause in Falcao's contract to leave Monaco after one season if a bigger club like Real Madrid wants to sign him.
But Vasilyev denies such an agreement exists. "Is there are a clause with Real Madrid? No, if we signed Falcao for a year, it would serve no purpose," he said. "There is no clause (agreement) with Real Madrid, I can confirm that." French champion Paris Saint-Germain, who are owned by Qatari backers QSI, has spent nearly 338.8 million dollars on players in the past two seasons - but Monaco's spending power combined with lucrative tax breaks makes the club a massive lure to players.
Left back Eric Abidal has also been linked with a move to Monaco. He announced on Thursday that he is leaving Barcelona. Monaco has won the league title seven times - but not since 2000 - and the French Cup five times. It also reached the Champions League final in 2004 under former coach Didier Deschamps.
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