Atletico put £48 million price tag on Falcao

Atletico Madrid have placed a 48 million pounds price tag on Radomel Falcao following Roberto Mancini's personal scouting trip to watch the Colombian forward last Sunday.

The 26 year-old, who has scored 11 goals in seven games this season, is understood to favour a move to Chelsea at the end of this season. But, with Mancini's presence at the Estadio Vicente Calderon for Atletico's weekend win against Malaga revealing Manchester City's interest in -Falcao, the Spanish club have admitted they could be forced to sell the player in order to ease their debts.

"Sixty million euros for Falcao would solve all the economic problems at Atletico," said general manager Gil Marin. "In Europe there are 50 clubs with more income than we have. If we were to sell Falcao for 60 million, then that would cover our debts. But I can say for sure that he will stay with us until the end of the season. Not only will he stay, but so will all the players that the coach wants to stay. We will fight to perform a miracle which is what we are doing with what we have -available."

Falcao has emerged as a City target due to uncertainty surrounding the long-term futures of strikers Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko. Bosnian forward Dzeko has fallen to fourth-choice forward and had been the subject of interest from Bayern Munich, but the 27 million pounds signing from Wolfsburg said he would fight for his place.

"I think confidence is the key to playing at your best and, the more games you play, the more goals you are likely to score." Dzeko said.

City are considering talks with Ajax who are charging supporters pounds 65 to attend the Champions League group tie in Amsterdam later this month.