Transfer Zone

Benfica Give Up On River Plate's Radamel Falcao

The Portuguese club look to be out of the race for the Colombian ace...

Jul 7, 2009 3:50:01 PM

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Benfica have confirmed they have decided not to follow up their interest in River Plate striker Radamel Falcao.

The Portuguese club appeared to be very close to signing Falcao after making a €4.7 million offer for the 23-year-old.

Falcao himself revealed to the Portuguese press on Monday he would "like to play with [Pablo] Aimar and [Javier] Saviola", so the conclusion of the deal looked imminent.

However, Benfica stated late last night that they are no longer interested in the player.

A statement issued by the club read, "Given the indecision shown by the player and his representatives regarding the offer made by Benfica, Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol, SAD would like to inform that the player Radamel Falcao is no longer part of the team's plans for the 2009-10 season."

This decision comes amid reports of renewed interest in the Colombian from Porto, who have sold Lisandro Lopez to Olympique Lyonnais for €24m.

Luís Mira, Goal.com