AC Milan insist 'no Chelsea return for Fernando Torres' as Jose Mourinho claims 'no space'

Fernando Torres will not return to Chelsea in January, according to AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani.

The 30-year-old Spaniard joined the Rossoneri on a two-year loan deal during the summer transfer window and while he managed to score on his full debut for the club, he has failed to find the back of the net since.

Torres has not featured at all in Milan's last three games, prompting talk the club are ready to bring his spell at the San Siro to a premature end in the new year when they can bring in a suitable replacement.

However, Galliani insists the former Atletico Madrid and Liverpool star will remain at the club and has backed the player to find his feet in Serie A.

"I don't think he [Torres] will leave even if the market is unpredictable," Gallaini told Sky Italia.

"Torres has been unlucky. He has struggled with injuries and is coming from a different league. We need to be patient. He is important and will probably return [to top form]."

Reports over the weekend suggested should Milan cancel their deal with Chelsea, with the Premier League club in turn releasing Torres on a free transfer.

But Mourinho insisted there was no plan for the player to return ahead of schedule with no room in the Chelsea squad for the misfiring Spaniard.

"He is on loan for two seasons. He is our player but is on loan," Mourinho told reporters.

"We have no space – no space for players in our list in the Champions League or the Premier League. That is an impossible picture.

"Nobody from AC Milan made contact with us so probably nothing is true and – more than possible – he is happy at Milan and Milan are happy to have him."