James Rodríguez admits 'dream' of playing in La Liga, and Real Madrid would be Colombia star's No. 1 choice
- Monaco star has lit up this summer's World Cup
- He only moved to Ligue 1 from Porto last year
- There is expected to be interest from Premier League clubs
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Real Madrid Transfer News: Reports Link Radamel Falcao with Move from Monaco
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- Monaco star has lit up this summer's World Cup
- He only moved to Ligue 1 from Porto last year
- There is expected to be interest from Premier League clubs
James Rodriguez - the undisputed star of this World Cup so far - says he dreams of playing in Spain and appeared to encourage an offer from Real Madrid.
The Colombian has netted five times in his first four games in Brazil, including a stunning volley against Uruguay on Saturday night.
While the 22-year-old has long since been known about as one of the brightest prospects in Europe, the last fortnight has shone a brighter light on his talent.
Even though he penned a five-year contract with Monaco after moving to the Ligue 1 outfit last year for around £36million from Porto, there is likely to be sustained interest this summer.
Tottenham have previously passed up the opportunity to land Rodriguez, with the player not holding back in his desire to play in La Liga.
'I’d be a dream to play in Spain, one of the best leagues in the world,' he is said to have told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope.
When pressed whether he would prefer Barcelona, Atletico Madrid or Real Madrid, he replied: 'I like Madrid more.'
Unsurprising given his admiration for talisman Cristiano Ronaldo. The pair posed for a picture in 2012, with Rodriguez tweeting with the message: 'Here am I with the amazing Cristiano, RT if you like the picture. Hugs!'
Rodriguez netted twice against the Luis Suarez-less Uruguayans, with Colombia coach Jose Pekerman saying: 'I never had any doubts that this was going to be his World Cup, with opposite number Oscar Tabarez adding: 'From what I have seen, he is the best player in the World Cup.'
'I am not exaggerating, he is a great striker.'
'I am not exaggerating, he is a great striker.'
Real Madrid Transfer News: Reports Link Radamel Falcao with Move from Monaco
Real Madrid are poised to sign striker Radamel Falcao from AS Monaco, according to reports in Spain.
Chris Waugh of the Daily Mail cited Spanish newspaper AS as claiming that the Colombia international has been in Madrid to finalise the deal. And Tomas Roncero of AS claimed on Sunday that the start of the transfer process had begun.
Falcao, 28, moved to Monaco just over a year ago from Real's rivals Atletico Madrid in a deal worth around £50 million, as BBC Sport reported at the time.
At the Vicente Calderon Stadium, Falcao was a totemic figure for the team, scoring 32 goals for Diego Simeone's team.
Atletico found a replacement goalscorer in the shape of Diego Costa following the departure of Falcao, but the South American's move to Ligue 1 came as a surprise.
Falcao had previously been linked with the Bernabeu at the end of the 2012-13 La Liga season, and Paulo Freitas of Sky Sports reported that the forward had denied that the move to Monaco was a stepping stone to Real.
Falcao insisted he was at Monaco for the long-term, and was quoted as telling El Heraldo newspaper at the time:
I don't think like this. Monaco enticed me because they have a long-term project, because their board are serious and because I love challenges.
I don't think like this. Monaco enticed me because they have a long-term project, because their board are serious and because I love challenges.
But there were no signs that Falcao was easing up on his form last season, as he struck nine goals in 17 league appearances.
However, his hopes of enhancing that tally were ended in January when he suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage during a French Cup tie.
The injury also forced him out of the World Cup finals with Colombia, although the national team have now reached the quarter-finals with the help of Falcao's Monaco team-mate James Rodriguez.
Former Real defender Ricardo Carvalho believes the potential arrival of Falcao would form a fierce forward triumvirate at the Bernabeu alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale, as Luke Augustus of the Daily Mail reported.
The ex-Chelsea star played alongside Falcao for Monaco last season, and he's quoted as saying:
Everyone knows Cristiano Ronaldo is the best player in the world and also the best professional.
In terms of professionalism, Falcao is the player who is closest. He will have a very long career because he takes so much care.
Cristiano, Gareth Bale and Falcao would be the most feared three-man attack in football history. But it’s better (for Monaco) that Falcao stays.
I think Falcao is the missing piece to make the Madrid attack perfect. Cristiano is the best player in the world, Bale is very good and Falcao is the best striker there is. I’m a defender and I wouldn’t want to face them!
However, it remains to be seen whether Falcao will be linking up with Ronaldo and Bale in such a forward line.
A report last week had claimed that the 28-year-old, who moved to Monaco from Atletico Madrid last summer, had already agreed personal terms with Los Blancos.
"Falcao's future is in God's hands – and in this case God is [Real Madrid president Florentino] Perez," AS quotes an unnamed member of the Colombian national squad.
Despite Falcao's reported arrival, Karim Benzema is still expected to sign a new deal with the club.
Falcao is still recovering from a serious knee injury.
