Liverpool 'discussing deal for Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra’
Liverpool were today said to be in discussions with Real Madrid over the possible transfer of midfielder Mahamadou Diarra.
Spanish daily newspaper AS reported that: “An emissary on behalf of Real Madrid is negotiating the transfer of Mahamadou Diarra to Liverpool.”
While the 29-year-old Mali international has a year left to run on his contract, manager Jose Mourinho is looking to trim some players from his squad after recruiting several midfielders over the summer. As well as bringing in Angel di Maria and Sergio Canales, Mourinho won the race to sign 2010 FIFA World Cup star Mesut Ozil.
Quartet of defensive midfielders
With Sami Khedira also joining over the summer, Madrid now have four players who can ply their trade in the defensive midfield position and Diarra is far down the pecking order. As he will be available for free next summer, Madrid are reportedly open to offers for the player to try and generate some cash now.
Diarra’s agent Frederic Guerra previously said that the player would like to try his hand in the English Premier League. He said that: “Mahamadou is still a top player and he can do a great job in the Premier League. There is a lot of interest.”
Liverpool have already recruited holding midfielder Christian Poulsen this summer, but with Javier Mascherano on the verge of leaving the club, manager Roy Hodgson may be looking to bring in another player who can occupy the berth.
Diarra has been with Madrid for four years after joining from Olympique Lyonnais for a fee of 26 million euros. During his time in Spain, he has won two league titles — in the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons — and a Supercopa de Espana in 2008. The player also had a successful four seasons with Lyon, having won both the French league title and the Trophee Des Champions four times.
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