Madrid leading Liverpool in chase for Turkey star

Atletico Madrid plan to scupper Liverpool and Tottenham's attempts to land Arda Turan by making an increased bid for the Galatasaray playmaker in January.

Turan, who has previously claimed it would be a 'dream' to wear the red of Liverpool, is highly rated on Merseyside.

talkSPORT also understands Tottenham were interested in the Turkey international but Harry Redknapp's signing of Rafael Van der Vaart suggests Turan is no longer on his radar.

Atletico made a deadline day move for Turan and planned to pay £11m in three instalments but Galatasaray wanted more money to be paid up front.

Madrid failed to come back with a better offer but they plan to return in January with a bid of around £14m, talkSPORT understands.

The news will be a blow to Liverpool manager Roy Hodgson - who has also been tracking Hamburg's Dutch starlet Eljero Elia, as talkSPORT revealed earlier this week.

Hodgson is not prepared to bid as much as £14m for Turan, leaving Madrid in the clear to land the 23-year-old when the transfer window re-opens.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.