Atletico Madrid have revealed that they discussed the possibility of re-signing Fernando Torres from Chelsea in the summer.
The La Liga champions were again looking for a new leading striker after Diego Costa left for Stamford Bridge.
Torres was one of a number of options who were considered, but Atletico boss Diego Simeone eventually opted for Mario Mandzukic, while the Spaniard, who scored 84 La Liga goals for Madrid before leaving for Liverpool in 2007, ended up at AC Milan.
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 scored four goals in 10 games for Atletico, with Torres having found the net just once for Milan so far.
