Radamel Falcao: A risk worth taking?

The big Boro transfer news that emerged from the last couple of weeks is the story linking Manchester United and Chelsea flop Radamel Falcao with a loan move to the club.

This link has divided opinion among supporters. Some see it as a huge risk given his injury and goal scoring record in recent seasons, as well as his astronomical wages at parent club AS Monaco. While others see a player who, particularly at Porto and Atletico Madrid, is one of the world’s finest goal scorers.

The rumour has probably stemmed from the relationship between the club and super-agent Jorge Mendes. He was reportedly involved in the deal to bring Aitor Karanka to the club Steve Gibson’s trusted advisor, Peter Kenyon, is also close to the 50-year-old. However, the link is still a bit of a shock.

Before his loan move loan to Old Trafford, Falcao was one of the hottest strikers on the planet. Many believe that should he now make a temporary switch to Teesside, he could regain that form under Karanka, who has earned a reputation for improving and getting the best out of players (see Albert Adomah, George Friend, Daniel Ayala and most of the Boro squad as evidence of that).

Whatever has happened in the last two seasons, Falcao is a player who has performed at the highest level, a hat-trick against Chelsea in the European Super Cup in 2012 is one display that jumps to mind. If Boro could sign him and get THAT player back, then it would probably be the signing of the season.

However, there are also a number of risks with this deal. Since a €60m move to Monaco in 2013, the Colombian has scored 18 goals in 64 games, 13 of which came while in France. For the price that Boro would pay to bring Falcao to the club, as well as the wage contribution that Gibson would need to fork out, the transfer doesn’t really represent value for money if his current form were to continue.

The 30-year-old looked lost in his two spells in England and while there wouldn’t be as much pressure on him to succeed at the Riverside, the deal would be a huge risk for the club.

With only one of Boro’s three strikers having Premier League experience, Aitor Karanka does need to add a new forward to his ranks. Whether Falcao is the answer to the Spaniard’s problems is another matter. After two underwhelming seasons, Falcao will be very short of confidence and the investment, even if it is just for a season-long loan, will be colossal.

This seems to be a transfer that although there is potential for it to be a masterstroke, the risk factors could be very damaging for Boro. Aitor Karanka and Steve Gibson would be better off looking elsewhere as they look to a striker to keep them in the top flight, and leave Falcao to find a big-money move elsewhere.