Manchester United are believed to have already secured the deal that will keep Radamel Falcao at the club beyond the end of the season in a package that will exceed £50m for the Colombian striker.

Falcao is on loan at United from French club Monaco, with the Premier League club paying an initial £6m fee to secure him for the first season under Louis van Gaal. However, it’s widely believed that United do have the option to sign him on a permanent deal, and according to Goal.com, an agreement is already in place regarding a £44m deal.

Falcao has shown glimpses of greatness at Old Trafford since signing on deadline day, but he has only scored once in five outings for United and was dropped to the bench for the 2-2 draw with West Brom despite the absence of the suspended Wayne Rooney – although he missed the 1-1 draw with Chelsea through injury last weekend.

Which Premier League proven centre-backs could Manchester United target? Show all 5 1 /5 Which Premier League proven centre-backs could Manchester United target? Which Premier League proven centre-backs could Manchester United target? Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa) ‘Roncrete’ was a Van Gaal favourite at the World Cup and has continued his fine form for Aston Villa this season, who currently sit third. A hugely effective, if simple, defender, Vlaar would add some much needed grit and power to a young side. Getty Images Which Premier League proven centre-backs could Manchester United target? Jan Vertonghen (Tottenham Hotspur) Vertonghen appears to be unhappy at Tottenham and is forever linked away with moves to ‘bigger’ clubs. The classy Belgian, still just 25, seems destined for the very top and has been unimpressed with having to play at left-back for Spurs in the past. Getty Images Which Premier League proven centre-backs could Manchester United target? Winston Reid (West Ham United) West Ham are immeasurably better when the New Zealander is in the side, he is calm and classy on the ball, quicker than one might expect and excellent in the air. The Hammers won’t want to lose him but at 26 he could be ready for a step up. Getty Images Which Premier League proven centre-backs could Manchester United target? Ashley Williams (Swansea City) He may now be 30 but Williams could be an excellent short-term option for United. He suffered from poor form after he was linked with a move to Arsenal but now that has passed he is back to his best. Williams is a powerful figure, excellent on the ball and a real leader for the Swans. Getty Images Which Premier League proven centre-backs could Manchester United target? Liam Moore (Leicester City) The Leicester City defender, 21, has been excellent for the impressive Foxes so far this season, is quick, good on the ball and in the air. Leicester have already played United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton and Moore has been coped with all of them. Getty Images

Initial concerns over his fitness and whether he has fully recovered from the serious knee injury that ruled him out of the World Cup in the summer appear to have been allayed, and he looks set to be offered a contract on £240,000-a-week to match his current wages.

According to the report, a source at United has said that “everything is agreed” and the 28-year-old is determined to remain in the Premier League rather than return to Ligue 1 where the league is almost a one-horse race given the financial power that Paris Saint-Germain hold over their rivals. The presence of Falcao’s agent Jorge Mendes has been a big factor in getting the deal signed and complete, given he already has ties at the club through Angel di Maria.

However, the transfer will represent another significant financial outlay by United in their attempt to return to the top of English football. Having broken the British transfer fee with the £59.7m fee for Di Maria, Falcao’s move for £44m plus the £6m loan fee would come in not far behind the Argentinian’s transfer. With Falcao’s wages, costing around £12.5m a year, a long-term contract would take his acquisition close to £100m.

Falcao heads the ball during the 2-2 draw with West Brom (Getty Images)

His deadline day move came after he was extraordinarily linked with Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal before signing for United, but Juventus have also revealed that they came close to landing the Colombian in the summer.