Vadim Vasilyev: 'Radamel Falcao essential to Monaco project'

AS Monaco vice chairman Vadim Vasilyev has rubbished suggestions that Radamel Falcao could leave the Ligue 1 club in the near future.

The 27-year-old Colombia international forward only joined Monaco in May, but he has been persistently linked with a move to Chelsea in recent weeks.

"People believe it is suspicious to have such a great player in France," Vasilyev told reporters. "They ask 'When will he leave? In January or in June?'

"We have always stated that Falcao is essential to our project. He allows us to hire other players and build a whole team."

Falcao, who arrived at Stade Louis II in a £52m move from Atletico Madrid, has scored nine goals in 14 league appearances this season.