Diarra's Odyssey

From Eurosport.com:

Quote:

Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra is determined to quit the French champions and join Real Madrid this before the transfer window closes. The Mali international is a long-term target of the Spanish giants, and has now gone public over his desire to leave the Stade Gerland.

He criticised the club"s directors, including President Jean-Michel Aulas for their conduct in early discussions, revealing to French daily L"Equipe: "Lyon started by ignoring Real, before them that if they wanted a meeting there was only one solution: to come with a cheque for 35 million euros."

The 25 year-old added: "I have let [President Aulas] know of my desire to go to Real. But clearly he has not understood. I'm not sure if he realises the opportunity that I have. I won't entertain the idea that this chance will be taken away from me due to [Lyon] demanding 35 million euros as a starting point to sit down and negotiate."

Real coach Fabio Capello is thought to be keen on pairing Diarra with Brazilian international Emerson in central midfield in an effort to end a run of three trophyless years at the Bernabeu.

It was revealed on Wednesday night that Lyon have rejected a 20 million euro bid from Real as the saga shows no sign of ending in the imminent future.

From Fox Sports:

Quote:

In an interview with sports daily L'Equipe on Wednesday, Diarra criticized Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas for making the transfer difficult by demanding too much money.

"In my head, it's clear. I want to join Real (Madrid)," Diarra told L'Equipe. "Lyon is not listening. I can't take it any more."

Diarra, a standout defensive midfielder for Lyon in last season's Champions League, feels Aulas is blocking a dream move to join coach Fabio Capello's Madrid.

"I told (Aulas) I wanted to go to Real," Diarra said. "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 €35 million (US$45 million) just to sit down at the negotiating table."

Diarra, set to play in a friendly match later Wednesday against Tunisia, added that "if the situation is not resolved by Thursday, I will make it known just what I think."

Spanish reports say Capello considers recruiting Diarra a priority. Madrid has not had a dominant ball-winning midfielder since Claude Makelele left the club to join Chelsea in 2003 and has not won the league title since.

But Aulas is keen to hold onto Diarra, after losing another key midfielder, Michael Essien, to Chelsea last year.

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Lyon is trying to rip us off, that's all they want, but they can't see they're hurting Diarra, since his future is cleary brighter in Madrid.....plus he has admitted publicy that he wants to leave to wear the Merengue shirt.

Calderon should play smart here and let the things cool off a little, or pressing the directives....and Diarra has to do his own if he wants to leave too, I read somewhere that he's thinking about refusing to train if Lyon don't negociate with Madrid.....and he's right.

naturally, lyon are very reluctant to let diarra go and understandably so. on the other hand, aulas should come back to planet earth and think about this absurd price of 38 million euros. if he remains stuborn, real should turn their attention to another def mid within 2 or 3 days. i don't know, go after gago, mascherano, keep gravesen or pair up emerson with guti. i'd like to talk to see aulas wiggle his way out of the mess that is bound to happen once diarra realises that they are not letting him leave the club and that he will be forced to see out his contarct with lyon. word "boycott" comes to mind.

in the end, lyon will have to sell him for less than 20 million euros that real is offering at the moment. the only downside is that the buyer might not be real...

why do we need Diarra for? Emerson is Mr. El perfecto is positin of the defensive midfielder

leon has it right , we should play it cool

but hey whatever happen to ricardinho, perhaps interest should be retunred to him

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafael

naturally, lyon are very reluctant to let diarra go and understandably so. on the other hand, aulas should come back to planet earth and think about this absurd price of 38 million euros. if he remains stuborn, real should turn their attention to another def mid within 2 or 3 days. i don't know, go after gago, mascherano, keep gravesen or pair up emerson with guti. i'd like to talk to see aulas wiggle his way out of the mess that is bound to happen once diarra realises that they are not letting him leave the club and that he will be forced to see out his contarct with lyon. word "boycott" comes to mind.

in the end, lyon will have to sell him for less than 20 million euros that real is offering at the moment. the only downside is that the buyer might not be real...

True.

If Lyon don't buy Diarra to us, they're gonna accept a smaller offer, but probably it won't come from us.....I think they're being unfair with him, Diarra already said he wants to leave, now if he stays do you think he's gonna perform? Hell no, he will be pissed off and who wants a player with attitude and without desire to play with his team??

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sq4

why do we need Diarra for? Emerson is Mr. El perfecto is positin of the defensive midfielder

But Mr.El Perfecto could get injured, suspended, etc.....we need a backup, or at least someone else who can play there decently.

Quote:

Lyon chief hits out at Real Madrid over Diarra

August 17, 2006

Olympique Lyon have rejected a £15 million bid from Real Madrid for midfielder Mahamadou Diarra.

Real made the offer yesterday, which also included a selection of fringe players for Lyon to choose from. But the bid was turned down flat by Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas.

Lyon chief Bernard Lacombe hit out at Real last night: "The way Real have come to us is a little amazing and we are astonished by the reaction of the player.

"I can understand, a little, the reaction of the player after being contacted by Real Madrid. But it seems strange that the Madrid club announces that his signing is high-priority, but has only acted now with just two weeks left before the end of the transfer market."

perhaps we should just keep Pablo Garcia, as the back up

i mean he wasnt great, but its only been one season, plus hes the back up, plus it would cost 20mil less, lol