Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has shrugged off the latest speculation linking star striker Radamel Falcao with a move away from the Vicente Calderon, pointing out it is nothing new.
A host of Europe's top clubs have reportedly been eyeing the prolific Colombia international over the last year, and Spanish daily Marca today claimed Manchester United were in advanced talks with Atletico about a possible summer transfer.
Simeone took the speculation in his stride though, telling reporters this afternoon: “The same thing happened at the same stage of the season last year. It’s not news. Falcao is a great player and it’s logical that the best teams in the world are interested in him. It doesn’t surprise me.”
Atletico paid a club-record €40 million to sign Falcao from Porto in 2011 and in his first season in Spain he scored 36 goals in all competitions. The 27-year-old has continued that form this campaign, notching 28 times already to help the Rojiblancos reach the Copa del Rey final and mount a bid for a top-two finish in La Liga.
Atletico are currently third in the league standings, three points behind second-placed Real Madrid, with eight games to go. They also play Real in the cup final next month.
