Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has said he wants Fernando Torres to remain at the club.
Torres, 32, scored the opener and assisted the second goal in Atletico’s 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on the final day of the Primera Liga season before being given a rapturous standing ovation when substituted.
The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker returned to his boyhood club in January 2015 on loan from AC Milan and his contract is due to run out next month.
Torres revealed last week that there had been discussions over a new deal and Simeone said he would like the Spain international to stay on, as long as he continues to perform well.
More from Primera Liga:
How it happened: Five games where La Liga was won and lost
Andy Mitten: Move over Messi and Ronaldo, Luis Suarez etches his name into La Liga lore
Diego Forlan column: Luis Suarez deserves the Pichichi but dreams of more titles at Barcelona
Torres has scored in six of his last seven starts for Atletico, helping the team to a third-place finish and the Uefa Champions League final, where they will meet local rivals Real Madrid.
“Fernando has never complained about having to fight for his place,” Simeone said.
“When I spoke to him I said I didn’t want him to return as a club idol, but we needed him to be a team player and in the last four months he’s played at a very high level.
“The two parties are starting to come together and we hope that everything is seen through the lens of performances. I focus on his performances, give my opinion and then the club work on it.”
Follow us on Twitter @NatSportUAE
Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNationalSport