Falcao close to departing Atletico

Radamel Falcao considered leaving Atletico Madrid in the summer.

The club said they would struggle to hold on to their star striker without Champions League football, opening the doors for possible offers.

The Colombia international, 26, was linked with clubs such as Real Madrid, Manchester City and Chelsea over the course of the summer, but eventually stayed at Atletico as no concrete offers came in.

“I thought about the possibility of leaving when the club said that it would be difficult to continue if it did not get into the Champions League,” Falcao told Marca.

“The future was uncertain because of finances but the team made a big push and almost the entire squad stayed in the end.

“That’s something that shows how well Atletico are being managed. I’m under contract for a few more years, my reality is Atletico and I can’t think about anything else.”

The striker said he was delighted with his success at Atletico so far, and is hungry for more silverware.

He added: “It’s what I was hoping when I signed, to make my mark, be important to the club, in the squad. To celebrate good times and titles like those we’ve won. We have to keep doing the same and look for new objectives.

“I know that there were people who doubted me, who weren’t convinced about my transfer fee. I came from Portuguese football. The mutterings were normal, the team was not in a good place and it was to be expected. I am proud to have won over the fans.”

Falcao’s current deal at the club runs until June 2016.