Ricardo Carvalho joins Monaco and Radamel Falcao may follow - EPL Loss

 Monaco have signed Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho and French media reports say Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao will be next for £50m.

Former Chelsea centre-back Carvalho, 35, has agreed a one-year deal.

And 27-year-old Falcao, thought to be a target for Chelsea and Manchester City, also looks set to join Monaco.

The French second division champions, backed by Russian Dmitry Rybolovlev, have already spent £60m on Porto duo Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez.  He links up with former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, who steered Monaco back to Ligue 1 having been appointed in May 2012.

"I'm very happy to join Monaco and to be part of the new adventure. This is a new challenge for me," Carvalho said.

According to media reports in France, Monaco are also said to have met a £50m buyout clause for Falcao, with the player set to have a medical and agree a five-year deal worth £8.5m a season.

Colombia international Falcao has scored 70 goals in 88 games for Atletico since moving to Spain from Porto in August 2011.

Monaco have confirmed the deal to bring striker Radamel Falcao to the club from Atletico Madrid.

France’s Ligue 2 are planning an assault on PSG  top-flight title next season and see Falcao, rated among the most lethal forwards in world football, as having a key role.

There was no mention of the fee involved in Monaco’s statement confirming the transfer, but it was certain to be astronomical, reflecting the interest in Falcao from many of Europe’s biggest and wealthiest clubs.

Monaco said on their official website,  “Monaco are happy to announce we have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid and the player Radamel Falcao for the transfer to Monaco beginning with the season 2013-14.

“The Colombian international striker has signed for five years.”

Monaco said he would be presented to the media when the club’s players return for pre-season training.