TRANSFER BATTLES: Cavani, Falcao, Mourinho, Suarez

Falcao joins the Monaco revolution! French riches beckon for Colombian striker as he signs a five-year deal

Monaco yesterday confirmed they have struck a stunning deal to bring Colombian striker Radamel Falcao to the club from Atletico Madrid.

The champions of France’s Ligue 2 are planning an assault on Paris St Germain’s top-flight title next season and see Falcao, rated among the most lethal forwards in world football, as having a key role.

There was no mention of the fee involved in Monaco’s statement confirming the transfer, but it was certain to be astronomical, reflecting the interest in Falcao from many of Europe’s biggest and wealthiest clubs



Monaco said on their official website: 'Monaco are happy to announce we have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid and the player Radamel Falcao for the transfer to Monaco beginning with the season 2013-14.

'The Colombian international striker has signed for five years.'

Monaco said he would be presented to the media when the club’s players return for pre-season training.

Falcao wrote on Twitter: 'I want to share with you that I will be player of @ASMFC-MONACO next season. I’m eager to start this challenge! I count on you [sic] support!'



Luis Suarez delivered a savage snub to the Liverpool management and their fans who have stood by him on Friday night when he admitted: 'I want to leave.'

Liverpool's fears about his intentions were confirmed when Suarez said: 'I think it's understandable that I leave. My reason for leaving is not the money. If it were the money, I would have left already.

'My main reason is my family and my image. The coach and my colleagues know that the press didn't treat me well. I don't feel comfortable any more. I couldn't go to my garden or the supermarket. I couldn't do anything.

'I know it is normal being followed by the press but it was too much. The straw that broke the camel's back (biting Branislav Ivanovic) was my mistake. I accept my fault, but they went too far.

'I don't have any offer yet, and I don't know when I will leave, but it is a good moment for a change of environment after all I have been through in England.

'I have only words of thanks to the club, the fans of Liverpool. It is a spectacular club, but they are aware of the way that the press treats me. It is normal that it is impossible to say no to big teams for which one always dreams.

'I have not spoken with Real Madrid nor with Liverpool, and my agent has not told me anything, either.'

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers admitted last week he feared he might face a battle to keep his star goalscorer, and the club are still digging their heels in and refusing to concede Suarez is bound for the Bernabeu after awarding him a lucrative new four-year deal last summer.

A spokesman said yesterday: 'Luis Suarez is not for sale. The club remains supportive of Luis and expect him to honour his contract.' But as we know every player has his price and Liverpool think Suarez's should be a big one.

It had been speculated that Suarez had a £40m release clause but it now appears that such an amount only means Liverpool have to begin negotiations with the bidding club but they are not obliged to sell him at that price.

Instead they will seek a much higher sum for their most prized asset with the Times says they will "seek a club-record transfer fee in excess of £50 million" for the striker.

The record sale for a Liverpool player was the £50m they received from Chelsea for Fernando Torres and Liverpool would want more than that for Suarez who they consider a superior player.

Liverpool would hope that a bidding war might open up for Suarez, but even if Real remain the only suitors "Liverpool’s present stance is that they will not even consider doing business unless they achieve what they perceive to be Suarez's full market value," reports the Times.

Chelsea prepare to hijack Man City's £54m Cavani bid by offering Torres as bait to Benitez's Napoli

Incoming Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will offer Fernando Torres to Napoli as part of a player-plus-cash deal for Edinson Cavani, according to reports in Italy. After missing out on Monaco-bound Falcao, Mourinho has switched his attention to bringing in Uruguayan striker Cavani - a long-term target of Manchester City’s.

Cavani’s release clause stands at 60million Euros (£54m) and City are prepare to offer Bosnian striker Edin Dzeko as part of a deal to bring the 26-year-old to the Etihad Stadium.

But Chelsea know that new Napoli boss Rafael Benitez would love to work with Fernando Torres for a third time and will offer him as a 30m Euro (£25.7m) makeweight, report Gazzetta dello Sport.

Cavani is one of Europe’s hottest properties this summer after a Serie A season in which he scored a remarkable 29 goals in 34 games.

His tally stands at an impressive 78 goals in 104 league games since joining Napoli from Palermo in the summer of 2010. Mourinho is not convinced by the inconsistent Torres and wants to add a striker to his squad to compete with Demba Ba and Romelu Lukaku.

Mourinho says farewell to Real Madrid in message

The 50-year-old has spent three years at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning the Copa del Rey in his first season and last year La Liga with a record points tally and number of goals scored.

However, on from a trophyless 2012-13, hit with continued reports of disharmony in the dressing room, Mourinho has agreed to leave the club at the end of the season by mutual consent.

Ahead of that departure, which will come after Saturday evening’s home League match with Osasuna, the Portuguese posted a message on Madrid’s official website.

“I wish everyone associated with Real Madrid much happiness in the future,” stated Mourinho.

“I appreciate the support of lots of fans and respect the criticism of others.

“Once again, a lot of happiness to everyone and, above all, good health. Hala Madrid!”