Radamel Falcao Monaco
Before he injured his knee, striker Radamel Falcao scored nine goals in 17 appearances for Monaco. Reuters

If James Rodriguez had his way, fellow Colombia star and former Monaco teammate Radamel Falcao would join him at Real Madrid.

Rodriguez transferred to the Bernabeu for £71 million earlier this month following his stellar six-goal performance that lifted Los Cafeteros to the World Cup quarterfinal for the first time. Falcao was supposed to be the focal point of Colombia’s attack in Brazil, but a knee injury ended his inaugural Ligue 1 term and international season.

Still, Rodriguez believes the striker, despite the injury, can light up opposing back lines once again with Madrid.

“I’m sure he can play there,” Rodriguez said according to Inside Spanish Football. “But I’m not the one who decides whether or not he’s going. It’s up to the president. It may be because he has quality and a winning attitude.

“I’ve been playing with him for four years. The only break was when he went to Atletico. He has a winning mentality and that’s what you want at Madrid. Hopefully he can come.”

Falcao has reportedly begun training again, but the speculation around a move back to Spain was heightened when the 28-year-old started following Madrid stars Gareth Bale, Isco and Sami Khedira on picture sharing app Instagram, as reported by AS.

There have been no indications that Monaco, who acquired Falcao only last year for nearly £50 million and signed him to a five-year deal, are willing to part with another one of their stars. But the club could net more than £100 million in fees this summer, an astounding sum. What is more, there are no indications that Falcao will be the same player he was when he started last term, and netted 52 goals in two years with Atletico Madrid.

Falcao might be open to the switch, with a report from Daily Mirror last week indicating he’s “unsettled” in Monaco and Madrid could pay a sizeable £9.9 million loan fee. The possible move could be made permanent should Madrid shell out another £26 million.

Counting Rodriguez, as well as midfielder Toni Kroos, it’s believed Los Blancos have already spent more than £100 million on new talent this summer. Though they’ve never been shy to spend, the world’s most valuable sporting franchise could hold off until the winter session to see how well Falcao has recovered from his injury.