Radamel Falcao to join Manchester United after club agrees loan deal with Monaco

Manchester United transfer news: Louis van Gaal's team steal march on Arsenal and Man City, agreeing deal for Radamel Falcao which could reach £20m for the season

Manchester United have emerged as front-runners to complete an audacious deadline day move for Monaco forward Radamel Falcao after agreeing a loan deal for the former Atletico Madrid striker.

The Colombian forward, who missed the World Cup due to a cruciate ligament injury sustained in January, has been made available for a loan or permanent transfer by his French club.

Manchester City had appeared to be favourites to sign the 28-year-old with efforts accelerated at the Etihad Stadium to offload injured forward Alvaro Negredo.

But United have decided to accept the invitation to bid for the striker with manager Louis van Gaal requiring attacking reinforcements due to plans to offload Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez.

A deal with Monaco over a loan deal, which could cost United as much as £24m for a season, including wages, has been agreed this morning. Falcao earns €12m a year at Monaco.

Falcao is expected to fly into Manchester later today to undergo a medical ahead of the move.