In an ideal world, Fernando Torres would have ended his career with his beloved Atletico Madrid.

However, the Spanish striker will continue his journey away from the Wanda Metropolitano after both the club and the player decided it was in everybody’s best interests to go their separate ways this summer.

"I will always put Atletico before me, they are the most important thing to me,” Torres was quoted as saying last week. "My biggest dream has always been to play here and that is when I was a child and grown up, it is what I wanted most.

"This is the second time I have had to give that up and both times have been for the benefit of the club, and I would do it a third time and a fourth.

"This club means everything to me and they will always be in my heart.”

The 34-year-old has only managed to score eight goals in 41 appearances this season and it’s patently clear that he’s no longer the world-class striker of yesteryear.

But Torres isn’t ready to hang up his boots just yet and has been linked with several clubs from both the United States and China in recent weeks.

Surprise clubs make offer to Torres

However, according to Spanish newspaper Marca, there’s an even more surprising club attempting to secure the World Cup winner’s signature.

Sagan Tosu, who currently sit second to bottom in the Japanese J1 League, are understood to have made Torres an offer worth around €4 million a year to come in and rescue their season.

The Japanese club’s current star striker is the Colombia international Victor Ibarbo who, Marca claim, is likely to be sold if Torres arrives.

Ibarbo is Sagan Tosu’s joint top scorer this season with two goals and the club’s Italian coach Massimo Ficcadenti clearly feels that Torres’s arrival would transform his side’s fortunes.

Why Japan move might appeal to Torres

But will Torres be tempted by a move to Japan?

He could earn more money in China or Major League Soccer but the Spaniard is keen to explore a different culture and Japan might appeal.

Torres could be about to follow in the footsteps of another former Atletico Madrid forward, Diego Forlan, who left European football for Japanese side Cerezo Osaka in 2014.

Where will Fernando Torres be plying his trade next season? Have your say by leaving a comment below.