Transfer news: Fernando Torres refuses to rule out Atletico Madrid return as Diego Costa to Chelsea move inches closer

Torres left Atletico in 2007 to move to Liverpool but the 30-year-old has admitted he would be keen to link up again with his former team-mate Diego Simeone

Fernando Torres has refused to rule out a return to Atletico Madrid, which could pave the way for a move to Chelsea for Diego Costa (Getty Images)

Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is unsure over his long-term future and admits he would like to work under former team-mate Diego Simeone at Atletico Madrid.

The 30-year-old Spain international has struggled to live up to expectations since his £50million move from Liverpool in January 2011.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho recently admitted in a conversation recorded without his knowledge and broadcast on French television station Canal+ that "the problem is we lack a scorer", so change could be afoot this summer.

Atleti's Diego Costa has been mentioned as one possible target, which could open up a return for Torres to his first club under the management of former Argentina midfielder Simeone.

And he told national newspapers: "In football you never know. You don't know where you are going to be tomorrow, in a week's time or in 10 years' time.

"I've had a lot of admiration for 'Cholo' (Simeone) ever since we were team-mates. He taught me a lot in the seasons we played together at Atleti.

"I always want to work with people I admire. I admired Rafa Benitez from the outside and I had the chance to work with him (at Liverpool and Chelsea).

"The same goes for Jose Mourinho or (ex-Atletico and Spain boss) Luis Aragones.

"Simeone is like Pep Guardiola or like other coaches who you'd like to go and see how they coach and learn."

PA