Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao as he has indicated he wants to remain in Spain until the end of the season.
The 26-year-old Colombian striker is grateful to club president Enrique Cerezo for making him feel valued at the club by showing his determination to keep him.
Roman Abramovich was willing to pay the £48million needed to procure the striker from the Spanish capital but he is enjoying his time at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
Falcao told reporters: ‘I recognise the great effort Enrique Cerezo has made for me to stay at the club.
‘And thank goodness our sporting results have been positive. We expect that to remain so until the end of the season.’
Difficulties in pursuing Falcao means Chelsea have been considering other options, including Barcelona striker David Villa.
The Blues will try to bring him on loan to Stamford Bridge as manager Rafael Benitez believes he will complement Fernando Torres.
Torres is the only striker Chelsea have left, given that Daniel Sturridge is leaving for £12m to Liverpool.
Source: DSG
