Radamel Falcao claims Real Madrid tweet a 'photo montage'

Falcao (right) sat alongside Monaco sporting director Vadim Vasilyev and his agent Jorge Mendes as they drew with Lille

Radamel Falcao has denied posting a social media comment that suggested he was close to joining Real Madrid.

The Monaco striker, 28, has been linked to the European champions ahead of Monday's transfer deadline.

A comment on Falcao's official Twitter account, which was later deleted, read: "Dream come true #halamadrid"

In a later post Falcao indicated the first tweet was fake, saying: "I have to refute a story about a tweet I have not done and that is a photo montage."

The Colombia international was dropped from Monaco's squad shortly before Saturday's draw against Lille after being expected to start.

The ex-Atletico Madrid striker sat in the stand, alongside sporting director Vadim Vasilyev and his agent Jorge Mendes, as Monaco's mixed start to the French season continued with a 1-1 draw against unbeaten Lille.

If Falcao does join Madrid, he will be the second player to leave Monaco for the Bernabeu this summer.

Fellow Colombian James Rodriguez, who starred in the World Cup as Falcao missed out with a knee injury, moved to Los Blancos for a fee which could rise to £71m.

Madrid have sold midfielders Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria to Bayern Munich and Manchester United this week, while their striking options were weakened by Alvaro Morata's move to Italian champions Juventus earlier this summer.