Spanish report claims 'exclusive' with Falcao to Chelsea negotiations advanced in secret meeting

Falcao to Chelsea is a transfer saga which appears to have a fresh twist each week.

Atletico Madrid are said to be wise to the fact they could lose star striker Falcao this summer, with Javier Hernandez and Burak Yilmaz two strikers touted as potential replacements in recent days.

Talk in Spain heightening over the Colombian's impending departure, with Spanish radio show Punto Pelota running an 'exclusive' regarding his future.

So what does this 'exclusive' contain exactly?

Well it claims that on Sunday, an hour before Atletico Madrid took on Osasuna in La Liga, the club's top brass convened a secret meeting in the Spanish capital.

Present were Miguel Angel Gil, club CEO, Jorge Mendes, Falcao's agent, and intriguingly - former Chelsea director Peter Kenyon.

It is claimed by Punto Pelota that the meeting had two outcomes:

- Atletico admitted they have no chance of matching any wages Chelsea will offer the Colombian striker.

- As part of any deal with Chelsea, the club want to push to keep goalkeeper Thiabut Courtois another year.

Now neither of these statements are earth-shatteringly fresh, but the fact the meeting took place and Atletico are making a plan of action regarding Falcao's future is new.

But what of Peter Kenyon's involvement?

Well Kenyon remains on good terms with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich; but most poignantly - It has been previously claimed that he stands to profit from the deal.

The Mail reported last year that Kenyon is in business with Jorge Mendes, running three third-party ownership football funds. They are claimed to have a stake in Falcao which Atletico would have to repay as third party ownership is forbidden in the Premier League, which is why he was involved in negotiations.

With UEFA pushing FIFA to outlaw third party ownership, it is in all parties interests for the move to Chelsea to go through quickly, and Kenyon's business holdings to recapture and profit the stake they hold in Falcao. 

While Punto Pelota claim Kenyon's presence at the meeting was an indication he will move to the Blues, it is likely he was there due to the latter, but they also stated he is still in regular contact with Roman Abramovich and if he can use his Chelsea contacts to his own advantage, bet on it happening.

Do you expect Falcao to sign for Chelsea in the summer?