Paul Merson: Chelsea Could Target Falcao This Summer

Paul Merson feels a drop in value would make Radamel Falcao a big summer transfer target, with Chelsea a possible destination.

The 29-year-old has scored just four times in 25 appearances for Manchester United since his season-long loan move from AS Monaco and United are not expected to retain a striker who earns a reported £280,000 a week.

While Falcao’s current £43.5m price tag and high wage demands are likely to limit interest in the forward this summer, Merson feels a lower transfer value could lead to a surge of clubs wanting the striker - including Jose Mourinho's Blues.

“If he went down to £15m then I think there would be a lorry load of teams after him,” Merson told Soccer Saturday. “He is a good player and I think he’ll get fitter and fitter.

“He hasn’t really had a season; he has only been in and out. He needs to play 20 games and then I think he’ll be back to where was when, for me, he was one of the best centre forwards in world football.”

The Colombian produced a strong performance for United during their 1-0 loss to leaders Chelsea on last week’s Saturday Night Football clash, although is yet to reach the heights that made him a prolific frontman for the likes of Porto and Atletico Madrid.

With Diego Costa’s ongoing hamstring problems mean strikers are in short supply at Stamford Bridge, and Merson expects Chelsea to show interest in the striker should his transfer fee go down.

“Watching that (Falcao’s performance for United at Stamford Bridge) last week, I think Chelsea would take him at £15million – they need another centre forward.

“Whatever happens next season, to be successful in the Premier League and in Europe, they need another centre forward badly, because when Costa hasn’t played they’ve missed him.”

Credit: Skysports.com