Atletico Madrid close to sealing Fernando Torres deal

Madrid: Atletico Madrid are close to tying up a deal for Spain forward Fernando Torres to return to his boyhood club on loan from Chelsea, assistant coach German Burgos said on Saturday.

Torres, 30, joined AC Milan on a two-year loan in August but has yet to rediscover his form and has only managed one goal in 10 Serie A appearances.

"It (the Torres deal) is on the verge of completion and we are waiting for things to firm up," Burgos was quoted as saying in Spanish media.

"He will be a very important reinforcement for the second half of the season," added Diego Simeone`s number two.

"We will get the best out of him, the same as everyone, and he knows where he is coming to."

Atletico`s Italy winger Alessio Cerci will move to Milan on loan as part of the deal, which will run until the end of the 2015-16 season, Spanish media reported.

Cerci said on his Facebook page on Saturday he had not yet signed with another club.

"I am an Atletico Madrid player and together with the club I am considering the best solution for both," he added. "I think that is right and normal."

A World Cup and double European Championship winner with Spain, Torres joined Atletico at the age of 11.

Known as "El Nino" (The Kid), he made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 2001 when Madrid`s second club were in the Spanish second division.

When he left for Liverpool in July 2007 he pledged to return and is hoping a second stint at Atletico will help resurrect a career that has largely been a disappointment since he joined Chelsea in January 2011.

Atletico`s next match is a La Liga game at home to Levante on Jan. 3 before they host Real Madrid in the first leg of their King`s Cup last 16 tie on Jan. 7.