Fa Barclaycard Premiership News( 17 December 2008 )
English Premiership football News
Pompey accept Real bid for Diarra
Portsmouth have accepted an offer from Spanish side Real Madrid for midfielder Lassana Diarra.
The 23-year-old France international has joined Pompey from Arsenal in January this year and has now given permission to speak in Madrid.
"We have always said we would only allow our players to leave if we received an exceptional offer," a spokesman told the Pompey club's website.
Manchester City were also thought to be interested in signing the player.
City were understood to be willing to offer in the region of £ 20m behind Diarra but earlier this week in Spanish newspaper Marca that he wants to go to Real.
"When you talk about Real Madrid, the other teams are no longer important, all the others to take second place," said Diarra.
"It would be a dream to be able to play such a large club."
Diarra began his career with French side Le Havre before signing for Chelsea in 2005. He moved to the Gunners last day of August 2007 transfer window, but left Pompey five months later.
"We could not in the way of a movement of this kind of Lassana," the statement continued Portsmouth.
"It shows how the club has been owned by Alexander Gayadamak when Real Madrid come in for one of our players.
"If the operation is complete, we have already identified replacements."
Diarra has not played for Pompey since November 15 but is close to a return following an ankle injury.
If he passes a medical and agrees personal terms, it will be able to sign for Real during the transfer window re-opens on January 1.
The nine-time European champions are coaches by former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos and you want because defensive midfielder Mali international Mahamadou Diarra is sidelined for the season after undergoing surgery on knee .
by bbcnews.
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