Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra is eying a January move, with his club willing to sell him to the Premiership, according to Spanish reports.Diarra is in his third season at Real Madrid since moving from Portsmouth, but he has fallen out of favour at the Bernabeu due to injury and the arrival of Sami Khedira from Stuttgart.
Manchester United and Tottenham were both linked with the 24-year-old defensive midfielder in the summer. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp managed Diarra during his successful spell at Portsmouth where he won the FA Cup in 2008.
Diarra has made six appearances for Mardid this season, mostly as substitute, and he provided an assist for Karim Benzema’s late goal against Espanyol in September.
Real boss Jose Mourinho picked Diarra for the recent Copa Del Rey match against Murcia, but the Frenchman pulled out on the eve of game with an infection which doctors said was minor.
Diarra had already expressed his frustration with the lack of playing time he has been receiving, and annoyed the club with recent statements in which he involved Benzema.
“Karim is okay, he’s taking the pressure well. We are football players and, like everyone else, we want to play,” he said. “Come January, we will take stock, and if we are not happy with what is happening we will find solutions, no problem. Now we are only in October, so I will not say this or that. There is still enough time to assess the situation and find solutions in a timely manner. ”
Benzema, also linked with Manchester United , was quick to distance himself from Diarra’s statements, saying he wanted to stay at Real Madrid where he wants to succeed.
However, Diarra’s days at the Bernabeu appear to be numbered.
The president of Hercules Alicante, Enrique Ortiz, recently expressed interested in Diarra, but Madrid replied that their first option is to transfer him to England, said the Sport newspaper.
Diarra is valued at €15M-20M.