Milan Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of December 29

And just like that, Fernando Torres is gone. Well, sort of.

AC Milan officially bought the 30-year-old striker from Chelsea, only to ship him out again to Atletico Madrid, per Football Italia. Torres is now technically Milan's player, but he will spend the next 18 months on loan.

"

At last back home. Thanks to all that have made this dream come true. Forza @Atleti. #TorresHaVuelto pic.twitter.com/HZjMI5v6Gl

— Fernando Torres (@Torres) December 29, 2014"

Torres returns to his childhood club after seven-and-a-half years. 

"I thought I was important for Milan, but things went differently," Torres told reporters in Dubani, per Football Italia. "Now, there is no better place than Atletico."

Let's take a look at the rest of the deal and this week's rumours.

Fernando Torres Going Back Home

Paolo Lazzeroni/Associated Press

Torres came to Milan to find himself again. He had scored just 20 goals in 110 matches for Chelsea following what once was a British record £50 million move from Liverpool.

According to the Daily Mail, Coach Pippo Inzaghi told Torres that he would make him one of the best in the world again.

But something changed. Torres only played 10 times, scoring just once, and the experiment was over.

"The transfer to Milan was a new challenge for me," Torres told reporters, per Football Italia. "They showed me that they needed me, that they wanted to use me as a key player.

"But after a few months the situation changed. The coach decided to make use of different players and I didn't find what I was looking for when I left England."

Now Torres is returning to Atletico "in search of happiness." He began his career with the Spanish champions and said he has always felt something for them since leaving.

"As a child my dream was to play for Atletico, and to go back now is another dream I’ve completed," Torres said.

Alessio Cerci Switching Places

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

On the other side of the deal is Alessio Cerci, who has had his own struggles with Atletico Madrid since moving from Torino in the summer.

Cerci made just one start in all competitions for Atletico, scoring once.

So Cerci will join Milan on his own 18-month loan deal, per David Amoyal of gianlucadimarzio.com.

"

Non vedo l'ora di essere a Milano per visite mediche e firma...incrociamo le dita e forza @acmilan !

— Alessio Cerci (@ale_cerci_7) December 29, 2014"

Cerci could even do his medical before the new year.

However, reports from Gianluca Di Marzio last week suggested that Milan will continue to pay Torres' wages (around €4 million), while Atletico will pay Cerci's (around €2.2 million). 

Atletico also have the option of selling Cerci next summer should the right offer arrive. Milan do not have an option to buy, according to Di Marzio.

Stephan El Shaarawy to Leave?

Antonio Calanni/Associated Press

The rumours around Stephan El Shaarawy keep on building.

Milan could sell the 22-year-old for €15 million, according to Il Quotidiano Sportivo (h/t Football Italia).

But coach Inzaghi shot down the reports.

"I can answer for him: his future is with AC Milan,” Inzaghi told reporters in Dubai, per The National. “Stephan is our flagship, one of our best players, and his future is with us.

"He is trusted by us and by the president. He has been injured, but he is doing well. We all expect a lot from him. The new year will be the year of El Shaarawy."