Chelsea are on the verge of completing a deal with Atletico Madrid for striker Radamel Falcao, after holding a secret meeting last Sunday.
It is a well known fact that Chelsea have identified Falcao as their No.1 target for the summer, after failing to acquire his services in January.
Roman Abramovich is determined to see off competition from the likes of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Paris Saint Germain for the prolific Colombian, and a secret meeting between the two clubs to discuss the move might have given Chelsea the advantage, according to Spanish TV Station Punto Pelota.
Speculation was rife about the fact that Manchester City were ready to smash the British transfer record by matching Falcao's buyout clause of €60 million (£52 million, $78.5 million).
However, following talks with Atletico, who are looking to squeeze as much money as possible out of the deal knowing the widespread interest, an agreement has been reached, with Chelsea willing to pay an extra £5 million ($7.5 million) to ensure Falcao plays in Stamford Bridge next season.
Chelsea might have made this decision to avoid the possibility of a wage war, with City looking to tempt Falcao to move to the Etihad next season.
A buyout clause would have forced Atletico to allow any club matching the fee to be able to talk to their player, but by coming to this agreement, it seems Chelsea have seen off all competition.
The Blues have been on the lookout for that one prolific striker for a while, even before Didier Drogba left the club at the end of last season. Fernando Torres was thought to be that man when he was bought from Liverpool in January 2011, but the Spaniard has failed to justify the £50 million ($75 million) price tag.
Demba Ba was brought in as cover for Torres and while the Senegalese international has done well enough, it was obvious Chelsea would be looking to bring in a bigger name in the summer transfer window.
If indeed, Falcao is set to arrive, it would seem Romelu Lukaku, who has been in impressive form for West Brom on loan this season, could be set for another spell away, as the Colombian's arrival would curb the Belgian's first team chances considerably; but at 19, there is still plenty of time for Lukaku to make a name for himself in a Chelsea shirt.
