Monaco chief admits Radamel Falcao could return to club following flop loan spell at Chelsea

A summer return to Monaco may be on the agenda for Radamel Falcao, with the club's vice president Vadim Vasilyev admitting they have not yet closed the door on the injury-stricken Chelsea loanee.

Falcao arrived at Stamford Bridge on a season-long loan in July 2015, eager to prove his worth following a thoroughly underwhelming stint at Manchester United. The Colombia international netted just once in his first 11 appearances across all competitions, however, and has not featured since a 3-1 defeat to Liverpool on 31 October after suffering repeated setbacks in his recovery from an ongoing thigh complaint.

That lack of fitness, combined with Guus Hiddink's desire to sign another striker, led to suggestions that the 30-year-old could have his loan spell prematurely ended in January. Chelsea did eventually secure one addition, with Alexandre Pato joining from Corinthians on an initial deal until the summer, but Falcao remained in West London after Monaco rejected the chance to take him back early due to their belief that he would be sidelined for a further eight weeks.

Such a rejection appeared to suggest that the player had no future with his parent club, despite being contracted until June 2018. Vasilyev, though, admits that the possibility of a permanent return to the Stade Louis II is not out of the question.

"We thought about bringing him back in January, but he was injured," he told French radio station RMC. "We'll see what happens at the end of the season. We won't exclude the possibility of him coming back to the club in the summer."

Falcao was even linked with a shock transfer back to Atletico Madrid last month, although president Enrique Cerezo subsequently denied reports that the player was denied a deadline-day reunion with former boss Diego Simeone due to a failed medical. A potentially lucrative switch to China has also been mooted. The Mirror claimed Jiangsu Suning made an offer for his services after completing deals for Ramires and Alex Teixeira, but Colombia head coach Jose Pekerman believes that would present difficulties in terms of his international career.

"Everyone is free to choose what they want for their future, but for the national team it's an inconvenience [to play in China] because of the long distances of travel," he was quoted as saying by The Sun. "Not because of their quality, because they can train and compete well anywhere they are, but because trips will be longer and they'd have less days to recover. It's a difficulty."

Major League Soccer could present an alternative option for Falcao in the event that he is sold by Monaco. 2015 MLS Cup finalists Columbus Crew have also been linked with his signature, as have Mexican outfit Club America.