Atletico Madrid have joined the race for Chelsea striker Fernando Torres. The London Evening Standard says Barcelona have been linked with a £17million move for Torres, 29, but his former club, Atletico Madrid, are also monitoring the situation.

Atletico could finance a deal after selling Radamel Falcao to Monaco for £50m and while Barca are thought to have earmarked Torres for a role as an impact substitute, his former club may offer him regular first-team football.

Torres is yet to hold talks with Jose Mourinho over his future at Stamford Bridge.