Wednesday 22 October 2014 11:40, UK
Atletico Madrid considered bringing Fernando Torres back to the club over the summer, but made no formal approach.
The reigning La Liga champions found themselves in a familiar position during the recent transfer window, with a prolific striker heading towards the exits.
Having lost the likes of Sergio Aguero and Radamel Falcao in recent times, Diego Costa became the latest high-profile departure from the Spanish capital.
He was lured away to Chelsea in a big-money deal, leaving Atletico with a sizeable attacking hole to plug.
A rival raid on Stamford Bridge was mooted, with Costa’s arrival in England forcing Torres down the pecking order in west London.
The Spain international is still held in high regard at Atletico, having launched his career with his home-town club before leaving for Liverpool in 2007.
Diego Simeone opted against a move for Torres though - as he ended up joining AC Milan on loan - with Croatian frontman Mario Mandzukic taken from Bayern Munich as an alternative option.
Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Martin told El Larguero: “It’s not true that he could have returned, but the matter did come up. However, under no circumstances did we open any negotiations.
“For my part, at least, Simeone did not ask me.”
Mandzukic has been a success in Spain, but other arrivals such as Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and Raul Jimenez are yet to produce their best.
Gil Martin added on the new recruits: “It doesn’t hurt to be on the bench. What does hurt is if they showed a lack of attitude.
“Simeone is doing a fantastic job and it’s him who decides when to introduce the new players because it isn’t easy to get to our level.
“Diego Costa is a brilliant player but it took him five years to get up to that standard.
“Griezmann, Oblak and Jimenez are going to have a career with Atletico and be important players.
“Nonetheless, it wouldn’t make sense to leave out those who are doing so well so he (Simeone) can put them in the side.”
