Football - Possible Winter Transfers of 20 Players (Part 9)
Lassana Diarra (Present Club - Real Madrid):
The only French defensive midfielder, Lass Diarra was signed by Los Blancos for an exorbitant fee, but he hasn't so far played a vital role in Jose Mourinho’s squad. Diarra had moved to Real Madrid from English club for €20 million, last season.
Lassana’s performance at Bernabue in his first few months had earned him a spot among the starting eleven on UEFA's 2008/09 La Liga Breakthrough Team. The 25-year-old midfielder joined Sevilla's Diego Perotti as the only foreigner on the list. Diarra had
joined Los Blancos in the winter transfer window with a low profile, but in a short span of time, this former Portsmouth defensive midfielder was able to win the hearts of many Madrid fans. He also then became the vital part of Madrid’s starting eleven.
But, since the arrival of Real Madrid’s new coach, Jose Mourinho, he has not featured in the team regularly and has voiced his frustration of remaining on the bench on several occasions.
The French defensive midfield player has been isolated out of Mourinho’s first team this season. Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso have established themselves as starters, providing less options for Lassana. The arrival of German World Cup star, Sami Khedira,
during the close season has pushed Lassana down the pecking order for los Blancos, with the former Stuttgart man and Xabi Alonso now being the first-choice midfield pairing.
The 25-year-old Madridista midfielder has been linked to a move back to the English Football, with rumours tieing him to several top clubs including Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspurs and Manchester United but he will surely not come at a bargain.
Liverpool
The Merseysiders have made a move for the unsettled Madrid defensive midfielder, Lassana Diarra as they step up their bid to replace Javier Mascherano.
Liverpool recently made an enquiry for the Los Blancos’ 25-year and they have been told that he is surplus to the requirements at Real Madrid.
Reds’ new manager, Roy Hodgson has been told by the Liverpool hierarchy that he will get only a proportion of the money from the Mascherano deal, which is worth up to £22 million.
Hodgson has already landed Juventus' midfielder, Christian Poulsen, at Anfield for £4m but he still wants another central midfield enforcer and believes that Lassana fits the bill.
Diarra has been placed on a ‘for sale’ list by Los Blancos hierarchy and he could be available for as little as £9m.
Another possibility being considered by Liverpool is to take Diarra on loan for a season, with the shortfall in his wages being met by his present club, Real Madrid.
Tottenham Hotspurs
Another English side, Tottenham Hotspurs are also continuing to monitor Lassana’s situation even though their manager has said that his high wage demands are a problem.
The former Portsmouth player is reported to earn £71,000-a-week net in Real, but Tottenham believe that the promise of regular first-team football could help a deal to be done for around £80,000-a-week gross.
Tottenham Hotspurs are also keen on the West Ham United’s midfielder, Scott Parker but Hammers are holding out £14m for Parker, which is viewed as prohibitive.
Tottenham have had an £8m bid for the midfielder rejected and, even though his wage demands are lower than Lassana’s, they still believe that Diarra offers better value.
Hotspurs' substitute goal-keeper, Carlo Cudicini, was a team-mate of Lassana Diarra at Chelsea under Jose Mourinho.
“He was quite young when he was at Chelsea and then played for Arsenal and Real Madrid,” said Cudicini. “He is definitely a great player. This club has some great players but it’s up to the manager if he wants to bring in some new ones."
(To be continued in Part 10)
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