Radamel Falcao (Photo : Getty Images)
Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao could head to China following Ramires' lucrative deal to Jiangsu Suning, according to the latest football transfer rumors.
The Daily Mail reported that Falcao drew interests from Chinese Super League clubs after Ramires was signed to a £25 million transfer deal by Jiangsu earlier this week.
Falcao, who joined the Pensioners on a season-long loan last summer, failed to impress at Stamford Bridge after only scoring one goal in 11 games. But according to Metro, the Colombian striker may still stay with Chelsea as AS Monaco not planning on cutting short Falcao's loan.
"Falcao is currently injured. He has to wait for six to seven more weeks," AS Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev said. "Due to it, we took the decision of not taking him back in Monaco."
Meanwhile, Ramires' signing has proved that China is ready to spend big for football players outside the country who could inspire the locals to fare better in the sport.
According to Goal, Chinese Super League clubs have spent the most money so far in the January transfer, shelling out 136.25 million in Euros ($148.1 million), which €20 million more than the Premier League in England.
The total spending was bolstered by Jiangsu's acquisition of Ramires, Gervinho' move from Roma to Hebei China Fortune, and Fredy Guarin's transfer from Inter to Shanghai Greenland Shenhua.
ESPN FC also noted that Ramires and Gervinho's transfer to China could be key to electrify the Chinese football market. "It may be only a part of what makes a successful domestic league, but with more high-profile global stars now playing in CSL, more money from broadcasting rights, tickets and the rising value of the brand, things are starting to look up," William Bi wrote.
In a report by The Star, Ramires and Gervinho were mentioned as football players who could raise the profile of both the country and the Chinese Super League, but may not help in China football' progress yet.
The report also suggested that the Chinese Football Association should have plans to encourage Chinese clubs to secure long-term success in the sport and invest on youth development instead of going big on signing stars. Nevertheless, all the new faces in CSL will surely entertain Chinese football fans once the season starts.
