Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao would be welcomed back at River Plate

Chelsea forward Radamel Falcao will have at least one escape route at the end of the season should new incoming manager Antonio Conte sanction the permanent signing of the Colombia international, after former club River Plate stated their intention to re-sign the player this summer. The 30-year-old has endured a nightmare two-year spell in the Premier league and may return to warmer climes in order to reignite his career.

Falcao was signed by Jose Mourinho last summer, following the departure of Didier Drogba, but has failed to fill the void left by the Ivorian, making just one Premier League start during a campaign beset with concerns over his form and fitness. Interim boss Guus Hiddink has been without Falcao for long periods due to the player's ongoing knee injury and has given him one appearance since returning to full fitness.

The season follows a previously horrid campaign at Manchester United, where he failed to win a permanent deal as his career continues to plateau. Falcao is destined to return to Monaco after leaving Chelsea, but Argentinian side River are open to signing the striker for a second time this summer.

"Six months ago I contacted Falcao via some friends that we have in common, to see if he was eager to return to River," club president Rodolfo D'Onofrio told Marca. "At the time, he told me that he wanted to continue in Europe, something which is understandable, as he is at a big club (Chelsea) and earning astronomical figures."

"He is the one who must decide if he intends to return to River, as [Andres] D'Alessandro and [Fernando] Cavenaghi did at the time. Everything depends on his decision. If Falcao has [made] the decision to return to River, the doors are open [for him]. It would be really nice to have him at the club again."

Impressive performances at River Plate stood as the lauchpad for Falcao's career as he scored 46 goals in 11 appearances, before moving on to FC Porto, Atletico Madrid and then Monaco prior to his spell in English football. However, Chelsea are unlikely to persist with the forward and are expected to allow him and fellow loanee, Alexandre Pato, to leave at the end of the campaign.