French Football: Ricardo Carvalho joins Monaco, Falcao to follow

French top-flight side Monaco have signed Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho and French media reports claim Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao will be next for a whooping £50m. Former Chelsea centre-back and Portuguese international Carvalho, aged 35, has agreed a one-year deal. 27-year-old Falcao, thought to be a target for both Chelsea and Manchester City, also looks set to join Monaco. The French second division champions are backed by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev and have already spent £60m on Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez, both coming from Portuguese champions FC Porto. Billionaire Rybolovlev bought a majority stake in seven-time French champions Monaco in December 2011, he is 46 years old and number 119 on the Forbes rich list, reported to be worth around £6bn. The Russian tycoon says he is a "passionate football fan" and wants to help Monaco fulfill "their potential, both domestically and in Europe". Carvalho, who won 75 caps for Portugal before his retirement from international football in August 2011, has joined on a free transfer. He will work again under the command of former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri, who pulled Monaco back to Ligue 1 having been appointed in May 2012. "I'm very happy to join Monaco and to be part of the new adventure. This is a new challenge for me," Carvalho said. According to media reports in France, Monaco are said to have met a £50m buyout clause for Falcao, with the player set to have a medical and agree a five-year contract worth £8.5m a season. Falcao, a Colombia internationa, has bagged an impressive 70 goals in 88 games for Atletico since moving to Spain from Porto in August 2011. Atletico manager Diego Simeone said there was "still nothing official" on whether Falcao will leave Atletico. "Whatever happens to Falcao I will be happy," Simeone said. "I've known him since we were at River Plate. That was for a year, and now a year and half at Atletico. He has helped us win titles. If he has to leave, I thank Falcao for all that he's given us." Radamel Falcao is one of the most wanted players in Europe, he is 33/1 to win the 2013 Ballon d'Or at SkyBet, with Lionel Messi being the top favourite at 8/11.