Former Liverpool and Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is reportedly targeting a return to the Premier League on a loan spell with either Southampton and Newcastle United, according to the Mirror.

Torres has fallen down the pecking order at Atletico Madrid this season and will likely slip further down in January after Diego Costa can play for the club.

The Spanish international's current contract is set to expire at the end of next season and he is reportedly wishing to spend his final season with his boyhood club before retiring.

He is however, said to be open to a loan move away from the club during the January transfer window in order to play as regularly as possible.

Torres and current Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez are close and it was Benitez who brought him to England in 2007 with Liverpool.

He also knows Mauricio Pellegrino as he served as part of the club's staff at Liverpool while Benitez served as manager.