Atletico Madrid star 'turned down' offer from Liverpool

Former Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu 'turned down' a proposal from Liverpool in order to sign for Atletico Madrid, according to one report.

The 27-year-old centre back impressed during his time in the Premier League and was even named in the 2019/20 PFA Team of the Year. However, the Turkey international barely featured during the 2022/23 season as Leicester were relegated, amid reports of a personality clash with former manager Brendan Rodgers, as he wound down the last year of his contract.

Soyuncu signed a four-year deal with Atletico Madrid this summer, but might've ended up at Anfield, if a report in Spain is to be believed.

Mundo Deportivo claim that both Liverpool and Newcastle United made proposals to the defender, who ultimately turned them down.

It is reported that Diego Simeone's side had already put in months of groundwork to convince Soyuncu of a move to the Spanish capital as a free agent this summer.

Liverpool were linked with a host of defenders over the summer, with the Reds specifically preferring players who could fulfil the left-sided centre-back role.

Anfield Watch reported the Reds interest in Levi Colwill before he signed new terms with Chelsea, while Arthur Theate (Rennes) and Piero Hincapie (Bayer Leverkusen) were also looked at by the club's recruitment team.

With Joel Matip's contract expiring next summer (and unlikely to be extended) and with depth already an issue, Anfield Watch understands that signing more defenders is a priority for upcoming transfer windows.

Sporting CP's Gonçalo Inacio is a player the club are still monitoring. The 22-year-old has a €60m (£51.5m) release clause in his contract.

Though not a centre-back, the Reds are also interested in AZ's versatile full back Yukinari Sugawara, who is seen as someone who could be acquired relatively cheaply as an understudy for Trent Alexander-Arnold.