Radamel Falcao: Liverpool Move for £3M Bargain South American Star Striker as Benfica Move Stalls
Press reports suggest that Rafa Benitez may be targeting a late swoop for the highly rated Colombian striking sensation Radamel Falcao Garcia Zarate or plain old ‘Falcao’ as he’s usually known. The Liverpool manager will have to move swiftly with Benfica strong favourites to sign him for a knockdown £3m fee.
The talented 23-year-old currently plies his trade for River Plate in Argentina but is on his way out of the cash-strapped club who reportedly still owe the player 400,000 euros which has held up his transfer to Portugal.
Falcao recently signed a three-year contract extension with River to ensure the club receive a bigger fee from Benfica. The Lisbon giants were to purchase 80% of Falcao’s economic rights but the move has stalled.
Falcao has been linked to the Premier League in the past but a possible move to Martin O’Neill’s Villa in the January transfer window failed to materialise as well as summer moves to Arsenal or Manchester United. However, the performances of the player nicknamed the ‘Tigre’ (Tiger) has also brought the player to the attention to some of the biggest clubs in the world including reported past interest from Real Madrid and AC Milan so a move to Benfica is surprising.
The Colombian has a scoring record of 34 goals in 88 League games (71 starts) for his club side though a serious injury in 2005 has hampered his fledgling career. In fact, Falcao has suffered from a number of niggling injuries as a direct result of tearing his anterior cruciate ligaments 3 years ago. However, the dynamic striker is back to full fitness and is living up to his early promise at River Plate and thus is finally set for a move to Europe this summer.
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The Colombian is not your usual run of the mill footballer, he is a devout Christian and a leader of a number of Church youth groups so don’t expect him plastered all over the tabloids after a weekend booze binge. He’s also studied Journalism at the University of Palermo in his adopted home city of Bueno Aires. Falcao’s father Radamel Garcia was also a professional footballer in his homeland but played as a defender. The young striker’s reputation was boosted when selected as a member of the “XI of America” in 2007 which is a prestigious annual survey voted by South American Sports journalists.
The player is renowned for his pace, his ability to shoot from distance with both feet and his strength in the air despite only standing at a modest 5 ft 9. He’s also illustrated his versatility for River Plate after moving from an out and out striker’s role into a more withdrawn position or onto the wings under his club Coach and David Beckham’s former nemesis Diego Simeone. Falcao has played for Colombia at U17, U20 and now senior level but has only scored four times in 18 internationals.
The versatility and the price tag makes Falcao the perfect understudy to Liverpool’s main man Fernando Torres and at a mere £3m he would surely be no gamble at all.
So do you like the look of this player? Does he sound like the sort of signing Liverpool should be targeting or should they be looking elsewhere? Is he the answer to support Torres in case of more injury problems? Let’s hear your views.
Tags: Arsenal, Benfica, Colombia, Liverpool, Manchester United, Radamel Falcao, River Plate
July 1st, 2009 at 11:19
He sounds good, he has good stats at the moment and for £3 or 4milo equals good value> lets see what rafa the gafa does
YNWA J4T96
July 1st, 2009 at 11:23
OK he’s Colombian and they’re ranked higher or lower than Chille, my point stands, any excuse to stop us getting or using the players we go after or buy. On the other hand maybe the new guy is more adept than Parry and that wouldn’t be hard.
July 1st, 2009 at 12:08
I’ve never heard of himother than being linked with good sides. If we were to get him for 3-4 million then its no too much of a gamble. Only what we’ll get for Leto. If its true then i’m happy to go along with whatever Rafa says.
July 1st, 2009 at 13:11
I don’t believe, he goes to Benfica Lisbon
July 1st, 2009 at 13:14
Total bluff, last minute ploy to try to raise his value. Definately signing for Benfica, who knows maybe in 3 or 4 years, Liverpool will be knocking on our door asking how much’s worth.
July 1st, 2009 at 13:16
He’s gone to SL Benfica (Portuguese Giant). Benfica stole Saviola to Liverpool and now will steal Falcao too. He wants to play with Saviola, Aimar and Di Maria. Forza Benfica
July 1st, 2009 at 13:28
Benfica is the biggest club in the world. Last time Brnfica knocked Liverpool (and Man U) out of Champions League. I doubt Falcao prefers Liverpool over Benfica.
July 1st, 2009 at 13:45
benfica ???????????? hahahahahahha
saviola & aimar are the usual leftovers benfica gets from the spanish teams
anyway seems an interesting player for a real good price always better than ngog!
July 1st, 2009 at 13:54
Benfica the biggest club in the world??? I want whatever drugs you are on Agas…they must be amazing mate
July 1st, 2009 at 19:12
Liverpool are alot bigger than Benfica, simple as.
Benfica can’t compete with Gerrard, Torres, Alonso, Mascherano, Carragher, Reina.
July 1st, 2009 at 21:20
Falcao will be presented tomorrow as a new Benfica Player
He DOES prefer Benfica over Liverpool
Aimar, Saviola, Falcao & Cardoso
and also Ramires (Brazilian Champion)
SLB Benfica rules
July 1st, 2009 at 22:24
Thank god that they all prefer Benfica whilst Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Jamie Carragher, Albert Riera, Glen Johnson and Pepe Reina all prefer Liverpool.
July 2nd, 2009 at 00:18
Voronin would be better suited to Benfica lol
July 2nd, 2009 at 05:42
yeah veronin i can see liverpool turning this great player falco into a bit part player by sitting him on the bench every game and just playing the cups just like veronin
July 2nd, 2009 at 08:23
“Thank god that they all prefer Benfica whilst Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres, Jamie Carragher, Albert Riera, Glen Johnson and Pepe Reina all prefer Liverpool.”
For what GBH? Liverpool with a HUGE team don’t win anything…
What a waste…
July 2nd, 2009 at 11:25
No matter who will get this fella, I will affirm you guys Liverpool or Chelsea will win the EPL nxt season. With talented players out, most peolpe already predict it won’t happen for Man Utd nxt season…
July 2nd, 2009 at 14:07
Well, either team will get a very good deal. I am Colombian, and at 3 million you have above a player that fights for every single ball, the heart of a lion. And his current stats surrounded with a less than average River Plate team, in a good team he will surely be stellar
July 2nd, 2009 at 18:04
sounds awesome be great in a 4312 formation with stevie g supporting him and torres or as a sub or backup for el nino Could get him with money from leto so no big loss (BTW i have this dude on every game i hope hes as aesome as the games if not its probably just my skills
July 3rd, 2009 at 00:54
I’ve heard about this player and is an awsome jumper, he has long distance and is very young…is perfect to play with Torres…on the other hand his main characteristic is that he fights the hole game and each ball, thats why they call him “The Tiger”…
July 4th, 2009 at 11:09
Very good player it is a pitty that we plays in River Plate
Forza Boca