Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has revealed the club are looking at the possibility of re-signing Fernando Torres from Chelsea.
Torres, a boyhood Atletico fan, made over 200 appearances for the club before joining Liverpool in 2007 and has been strongly linked with a return due to his Chelsea form continuing to suffer.
Simeone has previously refused to answer questions on Torres, but has broken his silence by confirming the Spaniard is a target they are considering for the summer.
‘Fernando and I were team-mates here, I know how important he can be for Atletico,’ said Simeone when asked if he’d be interested in re-signing Torres.
‘Fernando knows about the club’s history, what it means to play here and I don’t need to speak about his ability.
‘He now plays elsewhere, so anything would have to wait until the season is over. Only then can we see who is available and who could do well here.’
Torres has managed just 14 goals in 74 Premier League games since his £50million move to Chelsea from Liverpool, and with his form unlikely to improve at Stamford Bridge the Blues are said to be willing to sell for as little as £15million.
Atletico will have cash to spend in the summer as they remain on course to finish in the top four in La Liga – and a striker is a priority, regardless of whether Radamel Falcao is sold.
Equally, Chelsea maintain their interest in Falcao but are yet to make a formal offer.