Radamel Falcao Garcia might be on his way to France in a surprise move that will see the Colombian striker playing for recently promoted club AS Monaco.

Chelsea's pursuit of the 27-year-old striker seems to have been spoiled by Monaco owner Dmitry Rybolovlev. According to the Sunday Times he has agreed a 50 million euro deal with the Atletico Madrid striker.

The deal will see Falcao, paid 8.2 million Euros a year after tax.

Rybolovlev wants Monaco to win the Ligue 1 and also has Champions League on his to-do list and the agreement will include a release clause that allows him to leave after just one year-giving him the chance to join Real Madrid or Chelsea.

Chelsea has been after "El Tigre" ever since he won the Europa League with Porto. Chelsea and Atletico Madrid met in the Super Cup final earlier this season, and Falcao netted a hat-trick leading Atletico to a 4-1 victory over the blues.

Chelsea owner Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich was hoping to bring him to Stamford Bridge, but was unwilling to pay the Colombian's release fee.

The Colombian started his career in River Plate of Argentina, being eyed by many big clubs including AC Milan in 2008. He chose to stay at River and was crucial to their campaign. He made it to Portugal Giants Porto where he had his most successful season yet, winning the Europa League, Portguese league and becoming top goal scorer in both.

He will be the first Colombian to play for AS Monaco.