Chelsea Transfer News: £46 Million Radamel Falcao Deal Moves Closer

Daily Mail. The Blues have been in talks with the Colombian's representatives and Atletico bosses for months, but the former European champions believe they are close to wrapping up a deal for the goal machine. Their move for the South American however will effectively end their efforts to sign Edinson Cavani from Napoli, another striker the Blues have been heavily linked with this season. The Uruguayan's representatives are believed to have approached Chelsea recently regarding a summer move, but Chelsea have waived the option given their commitment to the Falcao deal, coupled with their continued efforts to sign Andre Schurlle, 22, from Bayer Leverkusen. Owner Roman Abramovich has sanctioned a financial package understood to be worth somewhere in the region of £200,000-per-week and will meet Atletico's £46 million asking price for Falcao, who has scored 31 goals in 35 appearances this season. Chelsea's young goalkeeper Thibault Courtois is expected to be crucial to any such deal. The Belgian has been on loan at Atletico for the last two seasons and the La Liga outfit want to keep hold of him for the next campaign. While the Blues are unwilling to include the 20-year old as part-exchange in the deal for Falcao, they are willing to allow him to remain in Spain for another season in an attempt to smooth over negotiations for one of Europe's top strikers.