Transfer boost for Chelsea? Liverpool and Man United target signs for Monaco

Manchester United and Liverpool target Lacina Traore has signed for Monaco from Anzhi for an undisclosed fee, potentially providing a transfer boost to Chelsea.

The arrival of Ivory Coast international Traore, who averaged a goal every two games in the Russian league last season, opens up the possibility that Blues target Radamel Falcao could leave the big spending Ligue 1 club in the near future.

Europa League holders Chelsea are keen to improve their forward line and are weighing up several options, including Falcao, who has yet to fully adapt to life at the Stade Louis II despite scoring nine league goals. 

The arrival of 6ft 8in Traore at Monaco will offer encouragement to the Blues' management, should they choose to pursue the Colombian striker.

Traore had been linked with a number of Premier League clubs, with Liverpool and Manchester United both scouting the player, and it has been suggested that he could still join West Ham on loan for the second half of the 2013/14 season.

But with Monaco currently second in the French league, three points adrift of Paris Saint-Germain, he may be called upon to aid his new club's cause in the Principality, rather than the Hammers in the Premier League.