Real Madrid to Step up Luis Suarez Chase

Real Madrid will step up their chase for Liverpool star Luis Suarez in the next few weeks, according to reports.

The Uruguayan international, who signed a new deal at Anfield earlier this season committing his future to the club, was the standout player for the Reds last season by scoring 31 goals in the league – performances which made him a contender for the Ballon d'Or.

Daily AS suggest Real will attempt to prise Suarez from Merseyside as replacement for Karim Benzema at the Santiago Bernabeu. Suarez has topped Real's wish-list to strengthen the team ahead of next season and the Spanish giants will step up talks with Liverpool in the next few weeks.

The 27-year-old was declared in default last summer after the Confederations Cup as he wanted to leave Liverpool at all costs – he failed to adapt to English life and wanted to play the Champions League. But the Reds managed to keep him and reward him with a contract until 2018 becoming their highest-paid player (€6.5m) (£5.3m).

The departure of Benzema will be needed to justify Suarez's signing. The Uruguayan's starting price is estimated at €75m, affordable with the possible sale of the France striker – who cost €50m. But Benzema's future has been shrouded in speculation in recent weeks despite his healthy return of 17 goals in 35 league appearances during the 2013/14 season.

Also Alvaro Morata's departure would facilitate the deal – the youngster, who has expressed his frustration over his lack of appearances at Real a number of times, is about to join Arsenal.

In addition to this, Spanish reports claim that the Champions League winners are also keen on Manchester City's Sergio Aguero to strengthen the team upfront – even though Real president Florentino Perez recently denied that they will try to sign the star this summer claiming it is not easy to have an excessive number of top players.