Chelsea target Falcao 'has already agreed a move to the Bernabeu'
Chelsea's hopes of landing prime target Radomel Falcao next summer have taken a huge blow, with his club suggesting the Colombian already has a deal in place with Real Madrid.
Blues chief Roman Abramovich is ready to meet Falcao's £48million buy-out clause at the end of the season after accepting the striker will not be leaving Atletico Madrid in this month's transfer window.
But Chelsea's chances of acquiring Falcao appear to have been blown out of the water by Atletico president Enrique Cerezo.
Cerezo, quizzed about Falcao's future on Spanish television, replied: "Falcao has had something signed with Real Madrid for some time."
Real president Florentino Perez is as keen on Falcao as Abramovich is, and increased his determination to sign the Colombian after losing Sergio Aguero to Emirates Marketing Project after the Argentine refused to leave Atletico for their arch-rivals.
Falcao wants to see out the season at Atletico, who start the New Year in second place in La Liga, seven points ahead of Real.
Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin also appears to be preparing the ground for a summer goodbye to their star man.
He said: "Falcao has earned the right to decide his future."
Missing out on Falcao would be a hammer-blow for Chelsea and Abramovich, who views the former Porto hitman as the prefect strike option for next season.
If Falcao does sign for Real, a £35m move for Napoli's Argentine ace Edinson Cavani is Chelsea's likely alternative.
The European champions retain an interest in Bayer Leverkusen's Andre Schurrle, but he has also made it clear he will not be leaving his club this month.