Miguel Angel Gil Marin has admitted there was a chance of Fernando Torres returning to Atletico Madrid this summer.
The Spanish international striker left Atleti for Liverpool in 2007 before joining Chelsea four years later, yet has remained a firm fans favourite at the Vicente Calderon.
Chief executive Gil Marin conceded it was not something he had discussed with boss Diego Simeone, although the issue had been raised within the club.
“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,” he told El Larguero, before being asked why some of the new signings this term had so far struggled to settle in.
“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 to get up to that standard.
“[Antoine] Griezmann, [Jan] Oblak and [Raul] 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 well so he can put them in the side,” he explained.
