TRANSFER RUMOURS – Falcao to Chelsea? Zaha to Liverpool?

Radamel Falcao has been linked with a move to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid amid the growing economic crisis in Spain

September 5th: Atletico Madrid chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin – “A French club, PSG, two English, Chelsea and Manchester City, came for Falcao and he stayed because we took a risk we would be able to make our payments. With the arrival of the people from Qatar, Abu Dhabi or Russia, the ten or fifteen top players can ask for whatever they want. They will play in China, at Paris St Germain or at Manchester City. The players, in the end always think that their careers are short. In three years there will be no great players in La Liga, except those at Madrid and Barcelona. The structure must be changed so that 18 clubs do not have to live on the leftovers. I am sure that Madrid and Barcelona will again finish 30 points ahead of the third placed team. A competition where one team gets 100 points from 114 is ill.”

September 6th: Radamel Garcaa, Falcao’s father – “His dream is to play for Real Madrid. Since he was a boy he’s always wanted to play there. Other teams in Europe like Chelsea and Manchester City were interested in him. If he can’t play for Real Madrid, he’ll play for a team in England.”

October 4th: Falcao – “I have a contract for more years. Now my reality is Atletico and I cannot think of anything else. I do not know what will happen in the future. The situation depends not only on the players and the management but also the economy of the clubs and even the country. I could only go by what was said by the club and they said it would be difficult for me to stay if they did not reach the Champions League. The future was uncertain regarding the economic issue, but it was a great effort from the team and they kept almost the entire playing staff, which speaks volumes for how well Atletico are doing.”

Read more about the economic crisis in Spain.

Wilfried Zaha has been linked with a move from Crystal Palace to Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur

September 17th: Crystal Palace manager Dougie Freedman – “Wilfried Zaha`s got a five year contract and as far as I can see he`s going nowhere right now. If the right club approaches me then I`ll talk to the chairman. If enough money gets put in front of the chairman then he`ll decide. Wilfried`s got a long way to go. He`s a young player learning his trade and I think there`s no better place right now than Crystal Palace to learn it. Clyney`s deal came up and we felt it was a good bit of business. We`ve obviously got to balance the books.”

September 21st: Wigan manager Roberto Martinez – “Crystal Palace have high thoughts of him. I don’t think it is going to be a realistic player for us. In these situations it has to be value for money.”

September 22nd: Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish “Roberto would like it ever so much if we would roll over. In the meantime I guess he’ll just try to unsettle our player using the papers. We didn’t reveal any details of their bid we prefer to do these things privately and politely, different rules I guess for ‘big’ clubs.”

October 2nd: Liverpool scouts attended Crystal Palace’s game Wolves.

October 3rd: Dougie Freedman – “When he’s ready and when I think he’s ready to go to the right club, I will tap Wilfried on the shoulder and tell him I can’t help him any longer. It’s a little bit different with my kids, the relationship has been there a long time. Wilfried can play at the top level if he continues going with his movement, he’s got wonderful technique and ability. His all-round game is coming together.”

Everton are linked with a loan move for Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe after a deal in the summer collapsed

September 5th: Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany – “Everton fans might not even know it but their club has done an incredible bit of business. Vadis Odjija is a top player, mark my words.”

September 7th: Everton statement – “FIFA have today refused to ratify the loan transfer of Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe to Everton from Club Brugge. The decision comes despite both the Football Association and Premier League giving their full support to the loan agreement and Everton lodging the relevant signed paperwork in advance of the international transfer deadline on August 31.”

October 4th: David Moyes is reportedly keen to secure a deal for the January transfer window.