'Liverpool and Arsenal approached my son - fortunately he joined Man Utd'

Colombian sharpshooter Radamel Falcao spurned interest from a host of top-flight clubs including Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City to pen a deal with Manchester United in 2014, according to his father. The star striker's dad revealed that his son was highly sought after on deadline day that year but ultimately opted for the Red Devils due to their standing as England's leading club.

The prolific Falcao carved out his reputation at Porto before setting La Liga alight with Atletico Madrid starting in 2011, and swiftly emerged as one of Europe's most formidable strikers. He notched up back-to-back Europa League victories in 2011 and 2012, plus a triumphant UEFA Super Cup clash against Chelsea in 2012 with Atletico.

After an impressive stint with Monaco and overcoming a daunting knee injury, Falcao was ripe for a summer move in 2014. It was Louis van Gaal's United who emerged victorious in the chase for his signature, welcoming the Colombian ace on a loan that harboured a £43.5million buy-option - after the star rejected a slew of top outfits.

The marksman's father, Radamel Garcia, a storied Colombia defender who graced the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, revealed the other major offers his son declined before moving Old Trafford, reports the Mirror.

"Manchester United is the most important team in England and one of the most powerful financially," declared Garcia on Colombian radio. "Juventus, Manchester City, Liverpool also approached him and Arsenal at the last minute. Fortunately, he ended up at Manchester United, a great team that he has to lead forward."

However, just days before the Colombian striker transferred to Manchester United, he tweeted 'Hala Madrid,' signalling a desire to join European giants Real Madrid - whose rivals Atletico he had starred for years prior.

Falcao's dream switch to the Bernabeu never materialised, though. Instead, he touched down on English turf, with his father revealing the inside story of the failed deal with Los Blancos: "Things did not happen with Real Madrid because if you have money and you go to the shops to buy a shirt or trousers, you have to decide if you buy it or not.

"So Real Madrid opted not to do it, and you can't do anything about that. Apart from that, I don't know, I have a feeling they wanted the player to offer himself as a gift with a number of conditions and things like that.

"It didn't happen because, as I said, they decided to buy the trousers and the shirt they wanted, and they considered what was better for them, and you have to accept that because they are the ones who pay the money. Thank God, everything happened with Manchester United."

Falcao's stint at Manchester United, however, paled in comparison to his stellar performances in Spain and France, culminating in an underwhelming tally of four goals from 29 appearances. Under the reign of Van Gaal, the faltering forward even found himself relegated to playing for the team's Under-21s squad, marking a disappointing chapter in his career.

Afterwards, he made his way back to Monaco, only to be swiftly dispatched back to England to join Chelsea, a club that had long admired him. This move, which mirrored United's deal - an initial loan with a £38m buy option - proved even more disastrous. The forward managed to score just one goal before a severe thigh injury prematurely ended his year-long stint.

Falcao, who is now 38, continues to play football, having recently returned to his home country of Colombia to play for 16-time champions Millonarios, based in Bogota.