By Rik Sharma

PUBLISHED: 10:04 EST, 27 December 2012 | UPDATED: 10:41 EST, 27 December 2012

Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao as he has indicated he wants to remain in Spain until the end of the season.

The 26-year-old Colombian striker is grateful to club president Enrique Cerezo for making him feel valued at the club by showing his determination to keep him. 

Roman Abramovich was willing to pay the 48million needed to procure the striker from the Spanish capital but he is enjoying his time at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.

Enlarge   Staying put: Falcao wants to remain in Madrid until the summer

Staying put: Falcao wants to remain in Madrid until the summer

Award: Falcao spent Boxing Day in his native Columbia as he received an Excellent Citizen Award from Colombian Police General Director Jose Leon in Bogota

Award: Falcao spent Boxing Day in his native Columbia as he received an Excellent Citizen Award from Colombian Police General Director Jose Leon in Bogota

Falcao told reporters: 'I recognise the great effort Enrique Cerezo has made for me to stay at the club. 

'And thank goodness our sporting results have been positive. We expect that to remain so until the end of the season.'

Difficulties in pursuing Falcao means Chelsea have been considering other options, including Barcelona striker David Villa.

The Blues will try to bring him on loan to Stamford Bridge as manager Rafael Benitez believes he will complement Fernando Torres. 

Torres is the only striker Chelsea have left, given that Daniel Sturridge is leaving for 12m to Liverpool.

Going it alone: Torres will be Chelsea's only recognised striker when Sturridge leaves for Liverpool

Going it alone: Torres will be Chelsea's only recognised striker when Sturridge leaves for Liverpool

The comments below have not been moderated.

This is the world's worst kept secret, because everyone knows that Falcao would be joining us at Chelsea in January.- Louis, London - BAHAHA

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I actually hope Chelsea do sign him and the sooner the better. I hope the fee is a World record and his wages are 300,000 per week. Every signing like this is a timebomb on Chelsea - the financial hoping era has to end - and end it will. See Leeds for your fate Chelsea supporters - enjoy your time at the top whilst it lasts (if finishing top 6 is at the top!)

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There is no way Falcao will go and play for Real madrid,he loves athleticos fans to much to move across the city to there rivals Real madrid,I think he will join Chelsea but in the summer thats why Chelsea are trying to get villa on loan till the end of the season. - cfc1976, London, 27/12/2012 18:56 --------- There are many videos of Falcao years ago saying that his dreams was to play in Real Madrid . He has been asked many times about this and he never denied. Kun did not move to Madrid because of a mutual respect deal between presidents, deal that has been broken because Falcao wants to be in Real next year. And with all the respect to Chelsea I cant imagine the biggest colombian idol choosing Chelsea over Madrid, when is the most respected team in his country.

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I think he will join Chelsea but in the summer thats why Chelsea are trying to get villa on loan till the end of the season.- cfc1976:::::::::::::::but how will Chelsea afford that? They only made 1 million profit last season and they spent that in October on Hazard's wages. Now if only you could get a decent shirt sponsorship deal!

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we need villa, cavani, falcao all upfront and to replace lampard get neymar in attacking midfield. - bob Whitaker, London, United Kingdom, 27/12/2012 15:29

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Why does he wear his hair like that? It just looks greasy and gross. Torres is another one, he looked much better when he cut it short for the World Cup

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There is no way Falcao will go and play for Real madrid,he loves athleticos fans to much to move across the city to there rivals Real madrid,I think he will join Chelsea but in the summer thats why Chelsea are trying to get villa on loan till the end of the season.

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Forget Falcao, get CAVANI, instead. He's just as good but cheaper and younger!

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staying in madrid......REAL BOUND!!! #HALAMADRID xx

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did nothing against barca the othe rnight.....a vastly overated nobody.....

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