Radamel Falcao emerged as one of Europe's top strikers during the early 2010s and rejected some big names before moving to Manchester United in 2014
Colombian marksman Radamel Falcao rejected advances from Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City before joining Louis van Gaal's Manchester United in 2014.
That's according to the player's father, who revealed that his son chose the Red Devils from a range of Deadline Day suitors because they are the most important side in England.
Falcao made a name for himself at Porto, and upon arriving in the Spanish capital with Atletico Madrid in 2011, quickly developed into one of the deadliest goalscorers in Europe. He won consecutive Europe League titles from 2011-2012 and a 2012 UEFA Super Cup with Atletico against Chelsea.
A spell with Monaco followed, and after recovering from a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a knee injury, a summer move beckoned in 2014. Van Gaal's United won the race to sign the Colombian, as he joined on an initial loan with a reported £43.5million option to buy – rejecting European heavyweights and Premier League giants in the process.
Falcao's father, Radamel Garcia – a former Colombia defender who competed at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow – revealed the clubs his son rejected to join on loan.
"Manchester United is the most important team in England and one of the most powerful financially," Garcia revealed to 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."