Liverpool must overcome protests from Atletico Madrid fans before sealing a deal for striker Fernando Torres.

Talks between the two clubs over a potential £25million move for the Spanish international have taken place between officials.

But the Madrid club are facing a backlash from their own supporters, unhappy at the prospect of their idol being sold to the Champions League finalists.

Atletico fans have staged a protest in a Madrid square against the sale of the 23 year-old, a youth product of the club who has constantly professed his love for the team he has supported since childhood.

That pressure is likely to delay any deal at least until the player returns from holiday on July 10.

And Atletico will now be even more determined to extract every last penny from Liverpool, so that they can sell the deal to their fans as having got best possible financial outcome.