Chelsea transfer news: Atletico Madrid deny Radamel Falcao failed deadline day medical rumours

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has denied reports that Radamel Falcao failed a medical to return to the Vicente Calderon on transfer deadline day (1 February). The club chief said he has not spoken to the out-of-favour Chelsea striker in recent times, and said Diego Simeone's side were not interested in bringing the Colombian back to La Liga.

The 29-year-old striker enjoyed two impressive seasons at Atletico Madrid from 2011 to 2013, scoring 70 goals in 90 appearances for the club and garnering a reputation as Europe's best traditional striker, fighting with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d'Or.

The number nine has struggled to replicate that form in subsequent spells at Monaco, Chelsea and Manchester United. However, reports in England on deadline day said Simeone was still interested in the star after both Jackson Martinez and Fernando Torres failing to fire for Atletico in the opening half of the season – with the former eventually moving to Chinese Super League club Guangzhou Evergrande for £31m ($45.4m) on 2 February.

The Telegraph claimed that Falcao's proposed return to Spain collapsed as the Colombia international could not pass a medical, having been out of action since the 3-1 defeat to Liverpool in October.

Cerezo, however, has said such a move was never on the table.

Questioned by Cadena Ser as to whether Falcao really did fail a medical, he said: "No, If he has been in Madrid, which is something I do not know, he may have come to do other things.

"I think he is injured, that he is recovering but I have not talked to him for a while. But without question there has not been anything to do with us (regarding signing him back)."

Meanwhile, Chelsea have omitted Falcao from their 25-man squad for the Champions League knock-out stages to make room for January signing Alexandre Pato.