By Alex Shaw
Atletico Madrid are ready to offer Radamel Falcao a bumper new contract in a desperate attempt to keep him from the clutches of Chelsea.
The striker, widely regarded as the best in the world in his position at the moment, has begun the season in blistering form.
His goal in Madrid’s 3-1 win over Osasuna on Sunday night took his tally to 13 in nine appearances and he has scored 34 in 42 league matches since moving to Spain from Porto.
Chelsea are eager to sign Falcao, who scored a hat-trick against them in the Super Cup back in August, and are said to be readying a £38m move for him in January.
With Fernando Torres still struggling in attack, the European champions want to sign the Madrid man to bolster their striking options.
Atletico, though, will not let the Colombian go without a fight. The 26-year-old, whose existing deal ends in 2016, is going to be offered a new deal.
The club’s hierarchy propose to add another year on to Falcao’s contract and also offer him an increased salary in a bid to keep him at the Estadio Vicente Calderón.
