Rademel Falcao linked with Columbus Crew SC transfer

Colombian forward Radamel Falcao has been well traveled in recent years. After leaving a successful stint with Athletico Madrid in 2013 for a big money move to Monaco, Falcao has picked up a severe knee injury and had two extremely disappointing loan stints in the English Premier League. According to a report in La Parisian, his next stop could be Columbus.

The rumor, repeated by ESPN FC on Wednesday, has Mexican giants Club America and Crew SC tracking Falcao as he recovers from another injury. An ACL injury forced him to miss the 2014 World Cup and he was sluggish during a loan stint with Manchester United. He's started a single game during his loan to Chelsea this year. He's been out since October with a thigh injury.

Falcao is still under contract with Monaco until 2018 and they have been looking to sell rather than release on a free in hopes of recouping some of their $60 million fee. Falcao's salary was reportedly $20 million a year, making it a hard sell.

Crew SC can use some bodies at striker, with only one player currently under contract, but it's unlikely to be a multimillion dollar player like Falcao. He would be an upgrade over Kamara, but would come at an extremely steep price.

The tie between Crew SC and Falcao likely stems from a report last month that Falcao has talked with former teammate Federico Higuain about playing in MLS. Falcao also spoke to Diego Valeri. The Colombian is still under 30 and would be an asset in MLS. He's a player approaching the downside of his career, but still could find success like recent European veterans like Robbie Keane and Sebastian Giovinco.

Columbus will have to bring in a striker, but barring a steep friends and family discount, it's not going to be Falcao.