French club’s director warns Chelsea that striker will not be sold in January.
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Chelsea have been dealt a huge blow in their chase to sign Monaco striker Radamel Falcao after the French giants issued a hands off warning, the Daily Star reports.
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Blues boss Jose Mourinho has been looking around the market for another striker after the form of Fernando Torres has failed to improve and now Samuel Eto’o has been ruled out through injury.
Demba Ba is also set to leave as he remains unfancied at Stamford Bridge and that has led the Portuguese boss to taking a closer look at the Colombian who snubbed the Blues over the summer in favour of a switch to the south of France.
The 27-year-old missed out on the club’s victory over Reims at the weekend, fuelling speculation that he could be on his way out of the club, but sporting director Vadim Vasilyev has revealed that the player will not be sold when the transfer market re-opens in the new year.
“He’s very happy here,” Vasilyev said.
“He feels really good in Monaco. Actually, we dined with him, his wife and the president a few days ago and he loves the club, the city. So there’s no problem and he won’t leave in January. That’s certain.”
He then went on to say that Falcao’s absence was down to a thigh injury and nothing else.
“He’s got pain in his thigh, that’s the truth. Nothing serious, but I think it was enough for him not to play on Saturday evening. It was better to be cautious, and that’s what the coach did.
“Radamel is very important in our squad. We need him and we want him in good shape. There’s no problem.”
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