Monaco striker Radamel Falcao is back in the papers today, as fresh reports claim that the highly-rated goal scorer is now being chased by Liverpool, Manchester City, and Real Madrid.  The Independent newspaper is reporting that while the three clubs all want Falcao, it is the Merseyside club that is actually leading the chase to secure the Colombian international.

Real Madrid recently secured their big striker Karim Benzema on a new five-year contract for the French international. Benzema, who scored the second most league goals for the Spanish giants last season (only behind Cristiano Ronaldo) ended speculation of a switch to a Premier League club with the contract agreement with Madrid.

A move for Falcao by Manchester City appears to be a bit odd because of the fact that the reigning Premier League champions already have a quartet of very capable strikers currently in their squad.  Sergio Agüero, Alvaro Negredo, Edin Džeko, and Stevan Jovetić make up arguably the deepest front line in the Premier League for the Citizens.  While the report claims that City is looking to obtain Falcao on a loan deal, one would imagine that if the Colombian ace were to move to Manchester, one out of the aforementioned quartet could be moved to make room.

Liverpool, on the other hand, is in need of a top goal scorer.  The club’s highest scorer from last season, Luis Suarez, has fled to Barcelona in a deal worth around €94 million.  Although Suarez has issues controlling his behavior, the Uruguayan international scored an astounding 31 goals in 33 Premier League matches during the 2013-14 season.  The standout performances by Suarez earned the striker the PFA Player of the Year, Football Association Writers Player of the Year, Barclay’s Premier League Player of the Season, and the Premier League Golden Boot (highest goal scorer in the league) awards.

Replacing Suarez should be Liverpool’s main objective before the summer transfer window closes shut at the end of the month.  The Merseyside club does have Daniel Sturridge (21 Premier League goals last season) and Rickie Lambert at the striker position; however, a move for a top striker such as Falcao could put the club over the top.

An issue that Liverpool could face is persuading a top striker to join the club.  The Premier League 2013-14 runners-up attempted to sign former Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez earlier in the transfer window, only to see the Chilean international choose Arsenal over Liverpool.  Reports have also surfaced that Benzema similarly rejected the chance to sign for the Reds during the summer as well.

Nonetheless, if Liverpool were to convince Falcao (and Monaco) in a deal to bring the superstar to England, the Reds could possibly be among the Premier League favorites heading into the new season.  Falcao moved to Monaco from Atletico Madrid just last summer in a deal reportedly worth around €60 million.  The Colombian went on to score nine Ligue 1 goals in 17 matches in his first season with Monaco before suffering a season-ending knee injury in January.