United & Spurs boosted in £16m former Chelsea midfielder chase - reports

Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra is to reject advances from Italy and is holding out on a return to England, according to reports.

The French international midfielder is being coveted by a number of clubs across Europe, with Juventus the only club to register formal interest in the player, according to TalkSPORT.

The radio station goes on to claim that the bianconeri are close to agreeing a £16 million fee with Los Blancos for the former Chelsea player. However, reports in Spain reveal that Diarra is not interested in a move to Serie 'A', and is keen to play in European competition next season.

Both Spurs and Manchester United have registered an interest in the 26-year-old in the past, with reports a week ago that the La Liga giants told both clubs the asking price was £17.5 million.

Sir Alex Ferguson is thought to be in the market for a player in the position, with versatile young French teenager Raphael Varane another player linked with Manchester United who can play in the position.

The Red Devils have already secured the signing of Phil Jones, and with David de Gea expected to come to Old Trafford after the European U21 Championships, Ferguson only needs one more player to meet his prediction of three quality additions at Manchester United this summer.

Tottenham Hotspur are also thought to be in the market for a player in the position, with Jermaine Jenas and Wilson Palacios both tipped to make a White Hart Lane exit this summer.


 

Harry Redknapp has a previous relationship with the player from their time together at Portsmouth, and could look to use that to his advantage in an effort to bring Diarra to Spurs.

With the Barclays Premier League now known to be the preferred option for the former Chelsea man, additional interest from clubs could be risen, although Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United currently sit in the driving seat if the reports are to be believed.