Courtois keen on Benteke move

Thibaut Courtois thinks fellow countryman Christian Benteke could be just the man Atletico Madrid need to fill the gap left by Radamel Falcao.



Atletico snapped up young Rayo Vallecano striker Leo Baptistao on Monday as they seek to replace the prolific Falcao and have also been linked with a number of other forwards.



One of these is Benteke, who won himself a long list of admirers with his performances for Aston Villa last season, and goalkeeper Courtois believes Atletico would get themselves a "great signing" if they lure the 22-year-old to the Vicente Calderon.



"He's a very strong centre-forward, tall, but with very good technique and skilful with the ball at his feet," said Courtois, who has spent the last two seasons on loan at Atletico from Chelsea.



"I think that he could be a great signing for Atletico. During these days with the national team I'm going to ask him about his future."



Courtois added of the former Genk forward in quotes reported by the Spanish press: "I know him well, we played together when we were young. Benteke is a player who has worked hard, he left Genk and had several loans spells that has helped him grow.



"He had a sensational 2011/12 season with Genk and that led to the attention from the Premier League."

OFFICIAL: Falcao joins AS Monaco

AS Monaco have confirmed the signing of Atletico Madrid forward Radamel Falcao.



The Colombian passed a medical at the newly-promoted Ligue 1 club on Thursday after the French club met his release clause of €60m.



The move is a huge coup for Monaco, who have vast financial backing despite their lowly status, having only just been promoted to Ligue 1 this season. The move comes after the club also completed the signings of Falcao's international teammate James Rodriguez and Joao Moutinho, both from Porto.



Spending is expected to continue for the club, who are also rumoured to be close to completing a move for Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes as they attempt to put together a squad capable of qualifying for the Champions League and challenging the likes of Paris Saint-Germain in France.



Atleti will now face the daunting prospect of replacing the Colombian, who was key to an excellent La Liga campaign for the club this season, as he scored 28 goals in just 34 games.

Courtois has faith in Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois believes that Chelsea's youth policy will give him a chance of a successful future at Stamford Bridge.

The Belgian goalkeeper has spent the last two seasons on loan at Atletico Madrid since joining Chelsea from Racing Genk in June 2011.



The 21-year-old has already played for his country at senior level and is seen as a long-term replacement for Petr Cech, but has earned glowing reviews during his stint at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.



He said:

"Chelsea have the young players that maybe in two or three years' time can win everything.



"I signed with Chelsea, not just because it is a big club but also because of its commitment to young players. I want to be part of Chelsea history."



However, Courtois is open-minded as to whether or not he will get the chance to impress with his parent club.



He said: "Chelsea have always been very fair with me and they are also smart people and they know that I need to play.



"I don't know where that will be but I do know I have proved myself in the two years I have been here (in Madrid)."

Falcao is happy at Atletico

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao insists he is happy to stay at the club despite speculation over a summer move.



Falcao has been linked with a switch to Manchester City and Chelsea, as well as Monaco, but the former Porto favourite believes he will only move if the Spanish Cup winners decide to cash in on his services.



The 27-year-old Colombia international is under contract with Atletico until 2016.

"I haven't thought about a move too much," Falcao told Sky Sports News. "The reality is that I have three years left on my contract with Atletico.



"I haven't thought about a move too much. The reality is that I have three years left on my contract with Atletico."

Radamel Falcao

"It's true that last season during the summer there was a lot of speculation with clubs being named as a possible destination, but the truth is that I've not thought about it.



"Of course, it depends on what the financial needs of my club are and what sort of efforts Atletico make to keep me.



"I've been trying not to think too much about the rumours of clubs being linked with me.



"Instead, I've been focusing on my objectives as a player and as a team member of Atletico Madrid."

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Falcao backed for move

Radamel Falcao has the full backing of Atletico Madrid as he is set to choose his next club this summer.

The Colombia international is regarded as the best striker on the planet and has been linked with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Monaco in recent months.

Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin insists that, having already replaced stars such as Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero, he is relaxed about the player's exit and admitted that the club had agreed to allow him to leave if he stayed for this season.

"Atletico knows how to change good strikers," Marin told.

"Fernando Torres, Forlan, Aguero and now Falcao.

"We don't know who exactly will be the next one but we know Atletico will have a strong team next season.

"Before the start of the season we talked with the player and we promised him that if he kept the same performance and helped us to the UEFA Champions League, Atletico would help him.

"Every decision that he takes, Atletico will be with him."

Falcao has scored 70 goals in two seasons at Atletico and has succeeded in helping secure Champions League football for the club with the Madrid outfit set to finish third in La Liga.
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Falcao plays down exit talk

Radamel Falcao has once again dismissed reports he is set for a summer departure from Atletico Madrid, claiming he is more than happy to see out his contract in Spain.



The 27-year-old has been strongly tipped with a move away from the Primera Liga, with Monaco the latest name to be linked with the Columbian, while Chelsea and Manchester United are also thought to be keen admirers of the forward.



Falcao, though, insists there is no truth in any of the reports he is on the verge of leaving the Vicente Calderon Stadium, and is adamant his focus is solely on Atletico Madrid, who face city rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final on Friday evening.



"I don't know anything (about a transfer), and the only thing that I have in my mind and keep concentration is on Atletico Madrid," he is quoted as saying.



"I don't know anything. I keep myself apart of what is being said. If it was for the press, I have already been transferred to all the teams in Europe, like Chelsea, Real Madrid and Manchester United.



"I don't find true any news that is being said about me".



He added: "The only real thing is that I am under contract until 2016, all the rest is only speculation. I don't know anything about Monaco. I have my mind focused where I am."




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La Liga top guns secure wins

It is as you were in Spain's Primera Liga as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid all recorded comfortable wins on Sunday.

Cristian Tello bagged a brace while Thiago was also on target as Barcelona eased to a 3-0 victory over Real Zaragoza at La Romareda.

Zaragoza came into the match having taken just 27 points from 30 matches and occupying 18th place.

And their performance replicated their standing as Tito Vilanova's team - 13 points clear of second-placed Real Madrid - dominated from the off.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid coasted to a comfortable 3-0 win over Athletic Bilbao.

Ronaldo struck with a fine free-kick in the second minute before heading a second after 69 minutes.

Gonzalo Higuain scored a third as Jose Mourinho's side made sure the gap to leaders Barcelona stayed at 13 points. Defeat left Bilbao eight points above the relegation zone.





Radamel Falcao scored twice as Atletico Madrid continued their bid for a top-two finish with a comprehensive 5-0 home win over Granada.

Falcao, who was the centre of more transfer speculation this week with Manchester United mooted as a possible destination this summer, struck in the 27th and 47th minutes to take his tally to 30 in all competitions this season.

Diego Costa, Raul Garcia and Filipe Luis were also on the scoresheet as Diego Simeone's men made it 14 wins from 16 league matches at the Vicente Calderon this season while also keeping up the pressure on second-placed Real Madrid.

Real Sociedad continued their outstanding run of form with a convincing 2-0 win away to Rayo Vallecano.



Two goals by Imanol Agirretxe in the opening 14 minutes set the Basque side on their way to victory and although they took their foot off the gas somewhat in the second half, they were always in control of the game.

This was Sociedad's fifth win in seven games and means they maintain their grip on fourth spot in the Primera Division table, staying four points clear of Malaga and moving four points ahead of Valencia.

Atletico Madrid opens door to Torres

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has seemingly opened the door for a possible return of Fernando Torres.

Torres has endured a torrid stay at Stamford Bridge since joining from Liverpool in January 2011 for £50million.

In 74 league games he has scored just 14 times, which is a shadow of his Liverpool form where he hit 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances.

The 29-year-old began his career with Atletico Madrid and is still revered by their fans, and now Simeone has refused to rule out a possible return.

"Fernando Torres is currently playing for another team. We have to wait for the season to finish and decide which of the available players could come here and do a good job," Simeone told Onda Cero.

"Fernando knows about the club's history, what it means to play here and I don't need to speak about his ability.

"We were team-mates. I know how important he can be."

Simeone admits he does not know if a deal could be struck, adding: "It's complicated. I wouldn't like to say yes or no. He's a player who always performs and we have to respect his choice."

With Chelsea being strongly linked with Atletico's Radamel Falcao - a player-swap plus cash deal has long been mooted.

Simeone was also quizzed about the future of the Colombian, and said: "I'm not Falcao and I'm not his agent. I'm the manager and have the utmost respect for him, because he gave me so much at River Plate and has done the same here.



"He always gives his all and I really respect players who do that. But everyone makes their own decisions in life. Every person is different, and we have to respect each other. Those who stay are always going to be the best."

Bernabeu to host all-Madrid final

The Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will be played at the Bernabeu stadium on Friday17 May, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have announced.



The RFEF took the decision following a meeting with representatives of both clubs today, with the kick-off confirmed for 21.30 local time. The last Copa del Rey final to be staged at Real's Bernabeu home was in 2007, when Sevilla beat Getafe. Since then, Atletico's Vicente Calderon stadium has held two finals, in 2008 and again last year when Barcelona defeated Athletic Bilbao.



Real and Atletico have met four times in finals, with the Rojiblancos winning on three occasions. However, Atletico have not beaten their city rivals in any competition in over a decade.



Emilio Butragueno, representing Real at the meeting with Atletico's Clemente Villaverde and RFEF secretary general Jorge Perez, welcomed the decision to hold the match at the iconic 85,000-seater venue.



"We have agreed on everything," Butragueno said in quotes reported by Marca. "We've shown that we have an extraordinary relationship between the two clubs. We had maintained in recent days to reach this agreement and we are very pleased. The decisive factor was the capacity of our stadium. Hopefully this is a celebration of football."



A total of 30,000 tickets will be distributed to each team.