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<P class=big>Manchester United have not given up on the hope that they could still sign Mahamadou Diarra.
The Lyon midfielder has long been considered to be one of Sir Alex Ferguson's top transfer targets but the French champions have been determined to hang onto their imposing influence.
French sources claim United have secretly tabled an official bid this week for the highly-rated Mali international, who has impressed at UEFA Champions League level for the Stade Gerland outfit.
Real Madrid remain favourites to snare Diarra and their willingness to splash out around €20 million (£13.5 million) will severely test Lyon's resolve. Coach Fabio Capello wants the former Vitesse Arnhem star to come to Spain and Real would be able to compete in a head-to-head battle with United should l'OL agree to sell the player.
Ferguson's renewed interest in the 25-year-old could explain why the Old Trafford club's move for Villarreal's Marcos Senna has still to be processed.
Although the Yellow Submarines appear willing to sell the Spain international,a deal has not been finalised which has led to the belief that United are waiting on other targets before committing to a transfer. Indeed, Ferguson suggested as much last week.
"We are looking at some other players at this moment in time and I think something will happen next week," Ferguson said ahead of the Amsterdam Tournament last Friday.
"There is interest in Senna but there is interest in other players as well."
Diarra has been on the wanted list at United since impressing against The Red Devils in the Champions League but Real will provide fierce competition for his signature if Lyon do eventually give the green light to a sale, despite theFrench champions'official statements claiming the African star is staying put.
The Lyon midfielder has long been considered to be one of Sir Alex Ferguson's top transfer targets but the French champions have been determined to hang onto their imposing influence.
French sources claim United have secretly tabled an official bid this week for the highly-rated Mali international, who has impressed at UEFA Champions League level for the Stade Gerland outfit.
Real Madrid remain favourites to snare Diarra and their willingness to splash out around €20 million (£13.5 million) will severely test Lyon's resolve. Coach Fabio Capello wants the former Vitesse Arnhem star to come to Spain and Real would be able to compete in a head-to-head battle with United should l'OL agree to sell the player.
Ferguson's renewed interest in the 25-year-old could explain why the Old Trafford club's move for Villarreal's Marcos Senna has still to be processed.
Although the Yellow Submarines appear willing to sell the Spain international,a deal has not been finalised which has led to the belief that United are waiting on other targets before committing to a transfer. Indeed, Ferguson suggested as much last week.
"We are looking at some other players at this moment in time and I think something will happen next week," Ferguson said ahead of the Amsterdam Tournament last Friday.
"There is interest in Senna but there is interest in other players as well."
Diarra has been on the wanted list at United since impressing against The Red Devils in the Champions League but Real will provide fierce competition for his signature if Lyon do eventually give the green light to a sale, despite theFrench champions'official statements claiming the African star is staying put.
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