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Monday Kickoff: Man United agree to Falcao loan; Chicharito joins Real Madrid; and more

RadamelFalcaoASMonaco1-ValenciaEmiratesCup (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Manchester United are on the verge of making one final mega-signing before the summer transfer window closes.

According to multiple reports from across Europe, Man United have agreed to a season-long loan move for AS Monaco forward Radamel Falcao, with the Colombian international joining for an initial fee of anywhere from £6-12 million, depending on which report you read. Falcao is expected to arrive in Manchester on Monday evening to complete a physical and sign personal terms.

The reports additionally state that there will be an option to buy the 28-year-old forward following the season.

It was only last season that Falcao surprised many by joining Monaco on a €60 million transfer from Atletico Madrid as a piece of Monaco’s big plan to challenge Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 title. However, after helping guide Monaco back into the UEFA Champions League in their first season back in Ligue 1, the club decided to sell its two best players, first James Rodriguez to Real Madrid and, apparently, Falcao to United.

Man United reportedly beat out Manchester City, Arsenal, and Juventus for Falcao’s signature.

Here are some more stories to kick off your week:

CHICHARITO COMPLETES LOAN TO REAL MADRID

Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez has found a new club.

Hernandez officially joined Real Madrid on a season-long loan with an option to buy, the Spanish club announced on Monday. Hernandez underwent a medical in Madrid on Monday morning, before the move was officially announced.

The loan ends Hernandez’s four-year stay with Manchester United, which he joined from Chivas de Guadalajara. While Hernandez’s first two years at Old Trafford were successful, he found life and scoring much more difficult in the last two seasons.

After playing the full preseason, Man United manager Louis Van Gaal decided that Hernandez was surplus to requirements, allowing him to leave the club this summer. Hernandez will play behind Karim Benzema in the forward depth chart for Los Blancos this season.

MESSI, BOATENG TO MISS GERMANY-ARGENTINA FRIENDLY

Argentina will be without its top player for its first match since the 2014 World Cup final.

Heading into a rematch with Germany on Wednesday in Dusseldorf, Lionel Messi has pulled out of the Argentina squad after picking up a minor groin strain in Barcelona’s 1-0 victory at Villarreal on Sunday.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the field, Germany will be without centerback Jerome Boateng for the Argentina match after he injured his knee in Bayern’s 1-1 draw with Schalke 04.

QUICK KICKS

Chelsea on Saturday completed the £10.5 million signing of Loic Remy from Queens Park Rangers. (REPORT)

Shinji Kagawa has returned to Borussia Dortmund for a £6.3 million transfer fee, signing a four-year contract. (REPORT)

Arjen Robben, Klaas Jan Huntelaar and Rafael van der Vaart have all pulled out of the Netherlands squad due to injuries for matches against Italy and the Czech Republic. (REPORT)

Atletico Madrid have signed Torino midfielder Alessio Cerci on a three-year contract for a transfer fee of €14 million. (REPORT)

New Italy head coach Antonio Conte has denied he is sending a message by leaving out Mario Balotelli from his national team squad for upcoming matches against the Netherlands and Norway. (REPORT)

Southampton are closing in on a season-long loan for Atletico Madrid reserve defender Toby Alderweireld. (REPORT)

River Plate moved to the top of the Argentine Primera Division table with a 3-1 win over fellow Buenos Aires side San Lorenzo. (REPORT)

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What do you think of these reports? Surprised to see Falcao join Man United? Wish they signed a midfielder instead? Do you see Chicharito playing much in Madrid?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Madrid fans were trolled by their own president:

    So you want Falcao? Here’s the guy Man U offloaded to make room for him.

    Mexican counterfeit jersey makers rejoice.

    Reply
    • I am listening to Sky Sports New Radio. His contract is GBP 340k/week. That is about $29/30 million dollars a year. He’s happy. He’s a guy who chases the money. Why else would he have gone to Monaco (unless he was forced, somehow).

      Reply
  2. Why is everyone hating on Chicharito. I sense a little resentment from fans here that a mexican player is getting the opportunity at arguably the greatest club team of all time (second mexican at that), while an American is far from that. (heck even a costa rican is playing at real.) I would say maybe Howard has a chance.

    Reply
      • +1
        Madrid doesn’t need another star. They need somebody that works hard, keeps his ego in check and puts the ball in the back of the net when it counts. Chicharito has shown he can do all of that.
        It baffles me how Benzema is still there.

      • Do you watch Madrid every week? Because Benz has been very good for Madrid while not having an ego problem. Benz has been critical to our success.

        Madrid needs a backup for him, and chicharito is a good one, but this will not solve Madrid’s problems which have been defensive and will continue to be.

  3. Great move by Chicharito. Leaving that dumpster fire called ManU to become Benzema’s backup it’s about as good as it gets. Only a matter of time before he becomes a starter.

    Reply
    • World Cup is for glory while club play is for money.

      It’s shocking how little WC play pays the players when you think of the advertising dollars and money FIFA is taking in. It’s amazing.

      Reply
  4. why the heck would MONACO splurge the cash for Falcao only to loan him the year later. they’re trying to rival PSG. you can’t do that with BERBATOV

    poor chicharito. dude will never be a starter at a huge club

    Reply
    • Absolutely. Not in he previous coach’s plans. And now that coach is gone. Kagawa is a top tier player. Watch him go back to Dortmund and and help them secure a semi finals again in Champions League. Kagawa’s move from Man U to Dortmund is a step up! Kagawa must be thrilled he is back with Klopp and playing in Champions League again.

      Reply
    • he will likely get more playing time than he did at United, but Madrid has stuck CR up top before too. honestly, this is a smart move on Madrid’s part, we needed a pure backup to Benz.

      i’m just really bitter it is Chicharito…

      Reply
      • He scored 27 goals for ManU as a sub over the last two seasons. Compared to 44 for Benzema as a stater the gap is not that big. Certainly not “terrible”

      • i think they just ran out of options. Falcao was taken out from under them so they only had a short time to get Plan B together. Chicharito isn’t a bad Plan B. still weird though. i though Chicharito would go somewhere that he would start, without a doubt. he had offers. went for glory again.

      • Its the perfect option for real madrid, CR7 or James can be forwards, its all about the money, how many mexicans are gonna buy chicharito’s shirt? Im mexican, not a fan of chicharito, but im thinking about buying a shirt……MONEY

  5. And just like that he goes from one of the most powerfull teams in the world to just another American fighting relegation.
    It was fun while it lasted.
    How is that Hymdman kid doing these days?

    Reply

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