If the Blues are to challenge for the Premier League title next season, they need an out-and-out striker who can score 20-30 league goals for them. Fernando Torres and Demba Ba have astonishingly failed to register even 10 league goals between them, with the pair having netted just nine league goals in 48 league appearances.

Roman Abramovich has been widely tipped to open his wallet and make a big money move for a new striker, in the form of Radamel Falcao. The prolific striker has blasted in 34 goals in all competitions for Atletico this season, but is expected to leave the Vicente Calderon even though the club have secured Champions League football for next season.

It seemed Chelsea were the only club who could match Atletico’s valuation of the player at £50 million, however, another big-spending club from the French league are willing to stump up the huge amount.

According to Metro, Falcao will snub Chelsea in order to join Monaco, who have achieved promotion to Ligue 1 for next season. The report suggests that Monaco have already agreed a deal with Madrid to activate his buy-out clause with the 27-year-old set to receive £8.5 million-a-year after tax.

With Falcao set to move to another club, Chelsea have started to look elsewhere to add more firepower to their ranks. They have been boosted by the news that United forward Wayne Rooney has put in a transfer request for the second time in his Old Trafford career. The England international has scored 16 goals in all competitions this season, but, as revealed by Sir Alex Ferguson, has been left frustrated this season.

Chelsea have been sensationally linked with the 27-year-old, who are ready to offer him a chance to stay in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge next season. Even though United have said that Rooney is not for sale, they might be tempted to sell their striker if a big money offer comes in, especially since Rooney does not wish to stay at the Theatre of Dreams.