Zenit rule out move for Chelsea striker Falcao

Andre Villas-Boas has revealed Zenit St Petersburg considered signing Radamel Falcao before the striker moved to Chelsea, but has ruled out the Colombian moving to Russia shortly.

Reports suggested Falcao, who has struggled for playing time with the Premier League champions, was hoping to cut short his loan from parent club Monaco, with Zenit a possible destination.

Former Chelsea manager Villas-Boas has not spoken to Jose Mourinho about the possibility and says the move will not happen.

Andre Villas Boas doesn't want Falcao. Credit: PA

"No I haven't had a conversation with Jose," Villas-Boas told fc-zenit.ru.

"The player belongs to Chelsea, on loan from Monaco.

"It's difficult to bring such a player to Russia with the rules and regulations we have.

"We tried to bring him here in the summer at the start of the season, but then the rules changed a week before the season started.

"We can't bring him here because of the rules and we don't have space.

"We have (Artem) Dzyuba, his form is great for the club and the national team and he deserves respect.

"Due to the limitations we can't bring Falcao here, his salary is immense too and the financial rules in place prevent this, this is the rule chosen by (Zenit president) Mr Mutko and so this is impossible."