Turkish authorities have foiled a plot to stage a "major" attack in Istanbul on the same day as the deadly gun and suicide attacks in Paris, a senior official says.

Police on Friday detained five people in Istanbul, the source told AFP, including a suspected close associate of the notorious Islamic State group militant known as "Jihadi John" who Washington believes was likely killed in a recent drone strike in Syria.

"We believe they were planning an attack in Istanbul on the same day as the Paris attacks" on Friday, the official said on Sunday on condition of anonymity.

"Initial investigation shows we foiled a major attack."