Diarra's Odyssey

[Leon of Silvren]

From Eurosport.com:
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:
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.

[Leon of Silvren]

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.

[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...

[Sq4]

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

[Lance Knight]

leon has it right , we should play it cool
but hey whatever happen to ricardinho, perhaps interest should be retunred to him

[Leon of Silvren]

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??

[Leon of Silvren]

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.

[Lance Knight]

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

[Leon of Silvren]

Yeah, if Lyon won't let Diarra go I say we keep Garcia....or Gravy, why not?

Lyon's president is talking pure bullshit, Calderon is now saying Diarra is priority because we gave up Robben, Fabregas and Kaka.....now everyone at Lyon is criticizing Madrid for contacting them in the last moment.....well screw them! Let's sign Masherano and history over....:annoyed:

[MADRIDCF8]

i also said we needed gago and mascherano, we would be set for years.

[plumTree]

its bahh all this.. now its too late to sign most stars cause their respective clubs wont let them go cause they wont have enough time to find replacement!! jeez

[Leon of Silvren]

its bahh all this.. now its too late to sign most stars cause their respective clubs wont let them go cause they wont have enough time to find replacement!! jeez
That's true, Lyon and Roma used that same argument to not let go Diarra, Mexes and Chivu.....but maybe in the next winter transfer window we could sign all of them.....I hope we can sign at least Reyes NOW.

[Leon of Silvren]

Juninho thinks that Diarra will go to Real Madrid
Marca
Aug 18th


Juninho Pernambucano thinks that his Diarra companion will finish for being fichado by Real Madrid, because “it is difficult to remain with a player who has the head elsewhere”. Diarra has declared in last days that it wants to be transferred to Real Madrid, although the French club is reticent to lose to one of its more decisive elements.

In the last seasons Diarra and Juninho they have comprised of the average field of the Lyon, that takes five consecutive titles in France. The Brazilian gave by fact that will lose that company. “Diarra has been giving much us in the field for years, but I believe that he is better to prepare his exit and to think about the equipment without him”, Juninho declared, for that “Real Madrid is spectacular and prestigious and has mounted a great equipment for this season”.

----------------------------------------------------

Lance, this is the Juninho I was talking about in the other thread.

[juanca]

i JUST read on univision.com in the europe section, that diarra has signed with the merengues for 28million Euros.....

great signing!

[MADRIDCF8]

yea i heard it on gol tv
good singing, do u guys think theres a chance hell start or just be emersons back up

[GiorgioII]

yea i heard it on gol tv
good singing, do u guys think theres a chance hell start or just be emersons back up


Not even Madrid spend 28 million euros on someone for him to be a back-up;) . You will probably play with 2 defensive midfielders under Capello. I know some of you don't like the idea of that, but trust me, you are much more likely to catch Barcelona with a compact and aggressive midfield than you are if you continue to promote this concept of Galactico football. Good luck. Good signing.

[Lance Knight]

actually the signing was 17.7mil and he has a salary of 1.8mil per year

[raulmadrid]

yea i heard it on gol tv
good singing, do u guys think theres a chance hell start or just be emersons back up

he will start alongside Emerson....Capello has a history of playing 2 DM..... Just like he did with Viera / Emerson in Juve

[Lance Knight]

well here's a piece of news with the offical thing

Diarra delighted as Lyon accept Real Madrid offer
August 19, 2006

Real Madrid have agreed a fee with Olympique Lyon for midfielder Mahamadou Diarra.

The Ligue 1 champions made the announcement on their club website and the 25-year-old Mali international is now set to discuss personal terms with Madrid, who will reportedly pay ?17.7million.

Diarra joined Lyon from Vitesse Arnhem in 2002 and has made over 200 appearances, helping the club win four of their five consecutive Ligue 1 titles.

"I'm the happiest person in the world," the 25-year-old told Saturday's Spanish sports daily AS. "It was a dream for me to play for Real Madrid and at last I'm going to fulfil it."

Lyon were originally reported to have asked for over 35 million euros for the Mali international but Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon said they had settled for much less. "We carried out the negotiations with great professionalism," he told sports daily Marca. "We closed the deal for a figure that was considerably less than Lyon wanted."

also we might be seeing Diarra on the pitch as soon as wednesday
Real Madrid hope to field Diarra on Wednesday
August 20, 2006

Real Madrid hope to unveil new signing Mahamadou Diarra on Wednesday in the Santiago Bernabeu trophy match against Anderlecht.

Lyon have accepted a £17.7 million offer from Real for the Mali midfielder, who met with Real directors in Geneva, Switzerland, yesterday to finalise personal terms.

Diarra and his agent, Frederic Guerra, met with Real sports chief Predrag Mijatovic and director Franco Baldini and thrashed out the player's contract over dinner.

The midfielder was talked down from his original £2.5 million-a-year demands to £1.8 million-a-year, though his Real deal will carry major incentive bonuses.

Diarra will be in Madrid tomorrow for his medical and to join his new teammates ahead of taking the field in a Real shirt on Wednesday evening.

[MADRIDCF8]

Not even Madrid spend 28 million euros on someone for him to be a back-up;) . You will probably play with 2 defensive midfielders under Capello. I know some of you don't like the idea of that, but trust me, you are much more likely to catch Barcelona with a compact and aggressive midfield than you are if you continue to promote this concept of Galactico football. Good luck. Good signing.
it was only 17.7 but i agree with ur comment it just soundedl ike people wanted to play with only 1,

i think with carlos and salgado/cicinho/ramos attacking from the right, we need 2 dm to cover there marks, and when they dont push up both emerson and diarra have the ability to support the attack as well

[Lance Knight]

Diarra: Real Madrid a boyhood dream fulfilled
August 22, 2006

Mahamadou Diarra admits he thought his dream move to Real Madrid was going to fall through in the opening days of negotiations.
The former Lyon midfielder will be paraded in front of the local media today and said: "At the outset everything was bad and the negotiations were very complicated because Madrid could not manage to reach an agreement with Lyon.


"Nevertheless, from last Friday night I realized that finally I could play in Madrid. From that day, I thought that I had a great chance because everything took shape so quickly with Lyon as with me."

Diarra pleaded with Real fans not to compare him with former midfield favourite Claude Makelele.

"I am not a substitute for Makelele. I am Diarra. For now, I cannot say anything about what I will do and how I will play in Madrid, but what I want is that the Liga begins and that within two or three months they'll see how Diarra plays and analyze how my game fits into Madrid."

The Mali star admits it's a boyhood dream fulfilled playing for Real Madrid.

"When I was a boy and I lived in Africa, I saw many Real Madrid games and my dream was to play there. I was a great follower of Madrid.

"When I was younger I admired four clubs: Real Madrid, Bayern, Milan and Olympique Marseille, but the team which I always dreamed of playing for was Real Madrid."

[Lance Knight]

whats going on with this guy these days, he hasnt played in a while
he's a good play one of the best DM's considering there really arent that much good DMs around at the moment,
but it seems he isnt in schuster's plans really
figure he might want to leave by summer if things dont change

[Raul_Madrid]

well he played yesterday and did poorly, but at least better then gago lol