Juventus not in race to sign Radamel Falcao if Manchester United decide against permanent deal

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has ruled out a move for Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao, insisting the Colombian's exorbitant wages ensure he is well out of their reach.

Falcao, 29, joined United on loan from Monaco in September 2014 but has failed to replicate the form that saw him recognised as one of Europe's most revered strikers during spells at Porto and Atletico Madrid.

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev revealed he recently met with United officials who told him the club were yet to make a decision on the striker but Falcao's underwhelming campaign has cast doubt on the club exercising their option to make his stay permanent.

The striker's agent, Jorge Mendes, has spoken confidently this season of another "top European club" making an offer for his client if United walk away with the deal, with Serie A champions Juventus tipped as a possible destination. But Marotta has ended talk of his side making a move for the Colombia international.

"Falcao is a Monaco player on loan at Manchester United and his wages are substantial and beyond our means," Marotta was quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport. "It is utopian to imagine him in a Juventus shirt."

Despite the initial euphoria that followed his arrival in Manchester on transfer deadline day, Falcao has failed to reach the heights expected of him in the Premier League.

With United manager Louis van Gaal forced to deploy Wayne Rooney in midfield due to injuries in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea, the former Atletico Madrid star started up front with Robin van Persie, who has only recently returned from injury.

It was Falcao's first start since February, having been left out of Van Gaal's starting line-up for eight consecutive Premier League matches.

The striker has five more games to prove his worth to the United hierarchy but a return to Monaco may not be an option, as indicated by Vasilyev.

When asked about the circumstances that saw Falcao leave the Ligue 1 club, he said: "He had mishaps in Monaco. He had problems with the coach, there was a misunderstanding and he was also seriously injured and missed the World Cup. In late August, he came to tell us that he wanted to play at a higher level.

"He estimated it would take longer than expected for Monaco to become a great team and he does not want to wait."