Atletico Madrid ponder Torres return as Chelsea step up Falcao interest

As Chelsea’s lengthy pursuit of Radamel Falcao continues, a viable deal for all parties may finally be ironed out this coming summer.

And it involves Blues striker Fernando Torres, who is eager to end his two-year Stamford Bridge hell by returning to Atletico Madrid.

Torres is one of the most famous products of the club’s youth system, but his career has steadily declined over the past few years, most noticeably since he swapped Liverpool for Chelsea in a £50m deal.

As such, he is keen to return to La Liga in an attempt to rediscover his best form, and could now have the perfect opportunity to do so.

In the opposite direction, the Blues would gain arguably the world’s hottest striking property in Falcao, a player they have monitored for the past two years.

It is thought that the Colombian international, 27, is ready to consider his future in Spain as he looks for guaranteed Champions League football year after year.

And the presence of a £50m release clause within his Atletico contract opens the door for Chelsea to make a part-exchange move for the powerful forward.

Although Torres would now only be valued in the region of £10m in such a deal, Blues owner Roman Abramovich is attracted by the proposition of relinquishing his hefty wages from the Stamford Bridge books.

Indeed, Torres remains one of the highest earners at Chelsea, and his exit could prove a necessity in the club bringing in Falcao, who too would command a very lucrative salary.

Falcao’s 25 goals in 28 appearances this season clearly indicate his pedigree, and cement Abramovich’s philosophy that the physically imposing striker could finally represent the ideal replacement for Didier Drogba.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone may be ready to accept that his star asset’s future lies elsewhere meanwhile, according to comments he made to a Spanish radio station.

When quizzed on whether or not Falcao would be allowed to leave Vicente Calderon, he replied: “It’s complicated. I wouldn’t like to say yes or no. He’s a player who always performs and we have to respect his choice.”

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.