Argentinian playmaker Diego Simeone has imposed a deadline for Atletico Madrid to sign him.

He claims that if his former club have not taken steps to sign him by July 18, when pre-season training begins, he will stay with Lazio.

“I can’t work properly if I am thinking about a transfer all the time,” he said. “If my transfer hasn’t been resolved by July 18, I will stay where I am.”

Simeone played for the Spanish First Division side between 1994 and 1997, helping the side win the First Division title in 1996. He is still hugely popular in in Madrid and there was talk of a return to Atletico two year ago.

The midfielder wants clarification on his future by Lazio, who are waiting to see the result of negotiations surrounding Alessandro Nesta, Juan Pablo Sorin and Claudio Lopez.

However, it looks as if Atletico is where Simeone wants to return. “I want to finish my career at Atletico because it makes me proud that the fans remember me and that they still sing my name at the Vincente Calderon.”