Premier League - Portsmouth accept Real Diarra bid

Eurosport - Wed, 17 Dec 18:20:00 2008

Portsmouth have accepted what they described as an "exceptional bid" from Real Madrid for midfielder Lassana Diarra.

FOOTBALL Lassana Diarra Portsmouth - 0

The Spanish giants reportedly had an initial £9 million offer rejected, while The Sun claims they have increased their bid to a massive £24m in a desperate effort to make Diarra coach Juande Ramos's first signing in January.

Real are short of midfield cover following a season-ending injury to Malian Mahamadou Diarra.

Portsmouth are experiencing financial difficulties brought on by the global financial crisis and said they reluctantly agreed to sell Diarra because of the size of the offer.

"We have always said that we would only allow our players to leave if we received an exceptional bid," said a club statement.

"We could not stand in the way of a move such as this for Lassana."

Portsmouth said they had "already identified" players who could replace the French international.

The ambitious Diarra will make Real his fourth club since August 2007 when he moved from Chelsea to Arsenal.

He subsequently signed for Pompey after just half a season with the Gunners, having failed to establish himself as a first-team player.

On arriving at Fratton Park, he spoke openly about his desire to attract "a really big club" and said: "The people at Portsmouth know I will not spend my life at the club."

Diarra performed superbly during the second half of last season when he helped Pompey lift the FA Cup, during which time his qualities as a specialist defensive midfielder impressed Ramos, who was then manager of Tottenham.

Earlier this season, Ramos said: "[Lassana] Diarra is someone I know perfectly well from my time in England. He is a France international and a player who is very similar to the Diarra [Mahamadou] that we have here.

"A player with very important physical characteristics as well as being a good footballer."

Alex Chick / Eurosport

Comment 31 - 50 of 90

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  1. To all the idiots on here who think English football is­ rubbish, or want to continue cussing the English, get a­ grip, leave whatever comments on your 'LOCAL'­ yahoo, but don't do it on the UK's page,­ because, to be frank, i think you are full rubbish, and­ we don't care what what you think, simply because­ you ain't British. If it bothers you so much, then­ why do you watch the EPL? And erm, who was in the­ Champions league final last term?? Do us a favour, and­ do one.

    From Andy R, on Wed 17 Dec 2:07PM

  2. I know Real are just big money spenders but they dont­ take keen observation. Who knew Adyebayos no sense­ would turn into glory? But how much did Wenger but him­ compared to Shevy who came as a star and went like a­ nuesense. They better learn such technicalities. Just­ advising

    From mubainno, on Wed 17 Dec 2:00PM

  3. Looks like Madrid have fallen from grace. Once they­ were the most alluring team in the land, signing world­ class players. Now they are spending big to sign a­ player neither Chelsea or Arsenal thought was good­ enough to hold down a first team position.
    Oh well, I­ think Athletico Madrid could eventually replace them­ over time....

    From vulcanraven01, on Wed 17 Dec 1:58PM

  4. if you think england has the best players,you are mad­ week in week out the premier ship
    is about physical,­ pace, and shooting that is it.tell me more. how long­ are engish players spend in big teams LIKE: REAL­ MADRID, AC MILAN, BARCELONA ? EVEN IF THEIR
    PLAYED IN­ MADRID WERE THEY FIRST CHOICE ? THE PREMIER LEAGE­ WITHOUT FOREIGNERS IS BORING AND RUGBY. SINCE GOD IS­ GOD HAS ENGLAND EVER HAD PLAYERS LIKE ZIDANE,MARADONA­ RONALDINHO,RONALDO ? CAN GERRALD TAKE ON TWO DEFENDERS­ (DRIBBLE) AND SCORE? HE ONLY SHOOT FROM FAR.THAT'S­ WHY FRANCE, PORTUGAL, ITALY CAN BEAT YOU EASILY

    From mimimutanga, on Wed 17 Dec 1:44PM

  5. Looks like Tottenham have bought Yahoo. Every time I­ make a post about them it is classed as Invalid. Maybe­ they should stop them slagging Pompey off then.

    From KEN C, on Wed 17 Dec 1:42PM

  6. Shame that gazmassie couldn't learn to write in­ English before tring to post comments on here. Anyone­ actually understand what he is on about??

    From KEN C, on Wed 17 Dec 1:33PM

  7. For those calling Diarra 'average', makalele­ was unsung before he left Real and his transfer exposed­ the true worth of the holding midfielder. Maybe Diarra­ is average because he's surrounded by average men.­ Meanwhile he has always attracted the attention of big­ clubs. He might not look £24m but he has to prove it.­ For those who care, that is the position Arsenal has­ not filled and one reason Gerrald and Lampard can't­ perform well in the English team.

    From Eziokwu, on Wed 17 Dec 1:07PM

  8. Sounds to me that young Rashed is a little jelous of­ the premiership to me!
    Maybe that's because his own­ French/German/Dutch Leage is now the equvilant of our­ championship? Were so lucky in england to see the best­ players week in week out, even if it does affect our­ national team. Although personally I think England will­ win a trophy in the next 10 years, as all this foreign­ quality means only the VERY best Enlgish players break­ through

    From Michael S, on Wed 17 Dec 1:05PM

  9. rashed, nobody is saying diarra is bad, but is he the­ kind of player who could make things happen at real­ madrid? i don't think so. he couldn't make it­ at chelsea or arsenal for a good reason ;)

    From peri, on Wed 17 Dec 12:59PM

  10. Im English, and I think Diarra is brilliant, but heres­ an English player that is better than him: Steven­ Gerrard! (obviously)

    From Michael S, on Wed 17 Dec 12:56PM

  11. no way are real paying 24mill for diarra,more likely­ about 12 max.thats still a good deal for portsmouth,as­ a couple of said,diarra is only an average player,but­ obviously playing with better players in madrid must­ only improve his game,portsmouth i'm sure will lose­ a couple of more players in the jan sales,then results­ will go against them,and adams will be blamed,funny old­ game.

    From , on Wed 17 Dec 12:54PM

  12. So english fans think Diarra is not that good, eh? I­ wonder which english fooballer is as good or better­ than Diarra. The English just overhype their second­ rate players when they are as useless as anything.­ Thats why England can't compete internationally.­ England couldn't even qualify for Euro 2008.­ England cant win any international competition. The­ English league is only where it is because of foreign­ players.

    From Rashed, on Wed 17 Dec 12:52PM

  13. I could bet my whole house that the fee is not 24­ million pounds. They bought Huntelaar for 20 million­ and I doubt they rate this guy higher than Klaas.­ Quality player though, the fee shouldn't be more­ than 15 million.

    From Bob, on Wed 17 Dec 12:50PM

  14. Dont get me wrong he aint worth 24million, but he is a­ class player!
    I think you lot are being far to harsh on­ him, he is a wonderfull midfielder, cut out of the­ Viera model, and just as good!! Maybe you lot don't­ rate him cos he played for Pompey but trust me he's­ mustard, and he'l prove it in Spain

    From Michael S, on Wed 17 Dec 12:49PM

  15. No worys bringin diara in madrid 4 such a large amount­ i think s still far better than goin in 4 a w.a.k­ player like young for any amount.

    From mustea84, on Wed 17 Dec 12:41PM

  16. Davidman sums up Diarra perfectly. If Madrid and Ramos­ are that stupid then well done to Pompey for taking the­ money. Nothing like a fool being parted with their­ money and Madrid and Ramos are the court jesters. If­ an average player like Diarra can go for that sort of­ money what is the market value of Gerrard, Lampard,­ Fabregas et al? So a big thank you to Ramos for giving­ the English game more money!

    From Allen H, on Wed 17 Dec 12:36PM

  17. The single most over rated player in the Premiership.­ He can't pass, fouls when he tackles, can't­ shoot and has an ego to match Anelka. I have noticed­ some Pompey fans thanking him for the FA Cup - why? He­ was terrible in that match and to be honest his­ incompetence was the main thing I remember from the­ final. Maybe Diarra has a fondness of the UEFA Cup, cos­ I imagine thats probably going to be the European­ competition Real will be playing in next season. Pompey­ paid about what he is worth. Real Madrid are fast­ becoming alaughing stock.

    From davidman, on Wed 17 Dec 12:26PM

  18. bloodyhell! £24m for diarra...i know the guy is v good­ but is he really worth that much money...v amusing! i­ bet man city will be weighing another unbelievable bid­ (may be £30m or £40m god knows) :-S

    From salim_risen, on Wed 17 Dec 12:21PM

  19. Just Look How Much Real have went down hill since the­ man Claude Makalele went hes a good replacement if he­ does half as good as Makalele they are on to a winner­ and a rate Diarra

    From Noel K, on Wed 17 Dec 12:20PM

  20. cheers lucky-luke-inc.if i had given that a bit more­ thought,could have probably worked that one out­ myself....!

    From steve, on Wed 17 Dec 12:14PM
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