Liverpool are reportedly closing in on the loan signing of Real Madrid midfielder Nuri Sahin.
Liverpool, along with Arsenal, have shown interest in the 23-year-old for some time, while Premier League rivals Manchester United are also believed to be keen.
Sahin has already been told he can leave the Bernabeu this season should he wish to find a new club, and according to The Guardian, Liverpool have moved ahead of the Gunners in the race to sign the 23-year-old.
Madrid coach Jose Mourinho is known to be keen for Sahin to move to Liverpool as they would prefer him to join a club not playing in the Champions League – despite the player being keen on playing in the competition.
Mourinho’s relationship with Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is also believed to be helping negotiations, and according to Thursday’s report, Liverpool are prepared to pay more of Sahin’s salary than Arsenal are.
Bookmakers Sky Bet at time of writing make Liverpool the huge odds-on favourites to sign Sahin this month, with the former Borussia Dortmund player just 4/7 to move to Anfield before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
“He’s a young boy, he wants to play every match,” said Mourinho last week.
“He wants to be happy to play, he wants to play to be happy.”
The former Chelsea manager also said the decision of whether Sahin leaves the Spanish capital would be down to the player himself.
“Real Madrid is very difficult. It is not an easy club, because we demand a lot,” he added.
“We have great players, and when you don’t start well, it is difficult to do it.
“If he stays, he’s not a problem for me, he’s one more solution. We leave [the situation] in his hands.”
