Diego Simeone has hinted that he wants Fernando Torres to sign a permanent deal with Atletico Madrid.
Torres, 32, has been on loan in the Spanish capital from AC Milan for the last season and a half and signed off with a goal and assist in Atleti's final-day 2-0 win over Celta Vigo yesterday.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea striker said earlier this week that he was in discussions over returning to his boyhood club permanently, and Simeone seems keen to sign him.
"Fernando has never complained about having to fight for his place," Simeone told reporters.
"When I spoke to him I said I didn't want him to return as a club idol, but we needed him to be a team player and in the last four months he's played at a very high level.
"The two parties are starting to come together and we hope that everything is seen through the lens of performances. I focus on his performances, give my opinion and then the club work on it."
Torres ended the season with a run of six goals in seven starts for Atleti, who finished three points behind champions Barcelona.
Pascal Lemesre
