Lassana Diarra has admitted that joining a club as big as Real Madrid would be a dream for him
Pompey ace ready to snub City for Madrid
Lassana Diarra has admitted that joining a club as big as Real Madrid would be a dream in what is a clear message to both the Spanish giants and Manchester City.
As revealed by
skysports.com earlier this week, Real made a move for Diarra as new boss Juande Ramos looks to bolster his squad in the transfer window.
The French midfielder is reported to be locked in talks about a move to the Bernabeu from Portsmouth and has no doubts that once they entered the frame he did not want to consider any other team.
Manchester City may have the financial backing, but Diarra does not consider them to be a big club in the same way that Madrid are and he is now aiming for a move to the Spanish giants.
"When you talk about Real Madrid the other teams are no longer important, all the others take second place,"
Marca quote him as saying.
"It would be a dream to be able to play for such a large club."
Negotiations are ongoing with his wage demands being the main sticking point, but Madrid are said to be confident that a deal will be reached before the end of this week.
Madrid are reported to have made an initial approach of around €12 million, but the intervention of Manchester City has meant that the price has risen and that has yet to be finalised too.
Diarra has already played for Chelsea and Arsenal in the Premier League after leving Le Havre and did not endear himself to Portsmouth fans when stating that he would play for them until a bigger club came in for him.
Now he appears to have his wish with Madrid desperate to sign a new defensive midfielder following the long-term injury to Mahamadou Diarra and the fact that the 23-year-old can play at right-back also helped persuade Los Merengues to move for the Frenchman.
