Atletico Madrid have told Radamel Falcao he can leave this summer.

The Daily Star says the Spanish club have already begun lining up replacements for the prolific striker, after accepting they will be unable to hold onto the 26-year-old past the end of the season.

Manchester City could try to tempt Atletico into a swap deal involving Edin Dzeko for Falcao, as well as using the cash from the recent sale of Mario Balotelli.

But Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is also a keen admirer of the Colombian and is likely to launch a big-money bid for the hit-man, once he brings in a permanent manager.