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Man United target trying for move
Written by JR Walker | 18th August 2006 | 0 Comment(s)
Mahamadou Diarra has announced that he is desperate to leave Lyon and join Real Madrid, and not Manchester United who may have been put off by a somewhat ridiculous price that Lyon is asking.
Diarra has attracted interest from several of Europe's leading clubs, but has now revealed in an interview that he is angry with Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas because he has demanded a large transfer fee for the midfielder.
''I'm not sure if he realizes what an opportunity this is. I can't stand the idea of denying me this chance, by demanding US$45 million just to sit down at the negotiating table,'' said the Mali international.
The 25 year old added, ‘'in my head, it's clear. I want to join Real (Madrid), I told (Aulas) I wanted to go to Real. Lyon is not listening. I can't take it any more.''
Lyon have been reluctant to let Diarra leave the club after the departure of Michael Essien to Chelsea, but Fabio Capello is thought to be an admirer of the midfielder and will probably make another offer before the transfer deadline.
What scared Man United off was the fact that Lyon thought they could gain just as much from Diarra's suitors as they did for Essien.
Chelsea obviously has money to burn, but most other clubs don't, and effectively Lyon was hoping Chelsea would come in for the midfielder.
As it turned out they didn't which has left Lyon with a player that is after a move, but possibly to a club that won't pay their inflated asking price.
Having dealt with Chelsea once, that is how they've set their price and Sir Alex Ferguson was probably right to steer away from a player that would have to get used to the Premiership for at least a few months before showing his true form.
In Michael Carrick and the possibility of Owen Hargreaves also arriving at Old Trafford Ferguson would appear to be targeting those that may not wince on a frosty night at Bolton or Blackburn.
With the best part of two weeks still remaining before the transfer window closes all eyes will be on Man United, as many believe they will struggle (in terms of the top four) with their present squad.
However, as the club most likely to bring in one or two big names before the transfer window closes (Chelsea have done their money, as have Liverpool and Arsenal will rely on their young players) along with the re-emergence of Gunnar Ole Solskjaer there could quite easily be the possibility of United easing the title from Chelsea's grasp.
Chelsea could be caught between two stools this season as they pursue their chance of European glory and those that are writing Man United off as a force will do well to remember Sir Alex Ferguson's appetite for a battle.
A lot will depend on the start to the season for all the main contenders, but many believe the race could be much closer the season and with Man United's ability to attract star players they should be ruled out of the equation lightly.
Diarra was only used as a substitute during France's World Cup campaign which says a lot about his ultimate worth. Yes he is a good player, but in all honesty he is no Roy Keane or Patrick Vieira and clearly as a result is not worth what Lyon is asking.
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