The situation between Radamel Falcao and Monaco is laughable. The Colombian, who is arguably the best out-and-out striker in world football, signed for Monaco in July of this year. He cost the French side an incredible £52m and is believed to be picking up a tax-free wage of £270k-a-week. And now, if you believe the reports, Falcao could already be on his way out at Monaco.
It’s not for a particularly exciting reason either. It’s all down to a tax dispute.
Frederic Thiriez, the president of French football’s governing body, LFP, has argued that Monaco currently receive an unfair advantage over other Ligue 1 sides, because they can offer tax free wages.
The Principality of Monaco doesn’t impose taxes on individuals. This financial freedom allows AS Monaco to attract big players (like Radamel Falcao), by offering them wages that can’t be matched by other French clubs.
Thiriez is absolutely right, of course, but isn’t the financial situation in football already a mockery? If your club has an oligarch owner, the truth is that you’re more likely to be competitive in the transfer window.
Regardless, Monaco could face an £85m fine should they fail to fall in line with the standards placed on other clubs. This has led to some claiming that Monaco could sell Falcao in order to ease the pressure they’re under.
The Star even suggests that Falcao’s agent, Jorge Mendes, has been sounding out the transfer market and that Real Madrid, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal are all hovering around the player.
The stand-out name there, must surely be Arsenal. The Gunners have been talking big game this summer, but as of yet, have made no major signings. Going in for Falcao would be a real signal of intent.
Arsenal’s recent performance against Aston Villa provided ample evidence that the Gunners need to add some quality to their squad. Olivier Giroud took his goal well, but there’s still a need to bolster the club’s forward line. Bringing in a world-class talent like Falcao would certainly give Arsenal more potency moving forward.
Still, the club would have to absolutely smash their current transfer record to make a deal happen. Then they’d have to appeal to the player by offering him wages that match what he’s looking for.
It’s unclear whether the Gunners have the capital to make this happen, but that won’t stop fans getting excited at the potential.
What’s your take? Could Arsenal really agree a deal for Radamel Falcao?
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the article is finished, it wont stop the fans getting excited,and exicited they are gonna stay,no way arsenal’s board are going to part with 52/3 million for a single player + astroniomical wages.hope is all they look forward to,and i am ARSENAL FAN TO
i beg all this reporters to stop all this nonsence they call rumour and take us to fact. We need news like falcao sign 5years contract for arsenal with his image wearing the famous red and white shirt.
Isn’t there some rule that a player can only represent 2 clubs in one calendar year, and since falcao already played for Monaco this is all bogus from what I know.
What are we smoking now? We can only sign him if he agrees to come for free and peenuts wages wenger just said the dosh he has is not what gazidis trumpeted