Spartak Moscow lead chase for Real Madrid’s Lassana Diarra

05:24 04/12/2013
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  • Former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra looks set to turn his back on a return to the Premier League for a move to Russian side Spartak Moscow. 

    Diarra, 27, is widely expected to leave Real Madrid this summer having fallen out of favour with boss Jose Mourinho and has been linked with Manchester United and Tottenham in the past.

    Italian giants AC Milan have also been credited with an interest in the France international as they look to replenish their midfield following the departure of Gennaro Gattuso, Mark van Bommel and Clarence Seedorf.

    However, according to his agent, the midfield enforcer is leaning more towards towards swapping one capital for another and depart Madrid for Moscow.

    Spartak, now managed by former Valencia boss Unai Emery, are in the market for reinforcements with the Spanish coach keen to build a side capable of challeging reigning champions Zenit St Petersburg’s domination.

    “I think it will be hard to see him move to Italy,” Diarra’s representative Claudio Vigorelli told Sportitalia. “First of all, because he has one more year left on his contract with Madrid. “And then because he has a good offer from Spartak Moscow.”

    Exit paves way for Modric

    Diarra’s expected exit could help fund Madrid’s bid for Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric amid speculation boss Jose Mourinho has made the Croatian midfielder his No1 target this summer.

    A £30million move has been mooted with Modric’s compatriot and former Madrid striker Davor Suker tipping him to shine at the Bernabeu. 

    “As a future president of Croatian football, I’d love to see Luka Modric join Real Madrid,” Suker told Marca. “He has the quality and the ability to play for a big club like Real. But it is a question I will pose with my heart to Mourinho and Perez.”

    Meanwhile, another Croatian could be on his way out of White Hart Lane with Vedran Corluka linked with a reunion with his former national team boss Slaven Bilic at Lokomotiv Moscow.

    Bilic, has taken up the reins of the capital club following six years in charge of his country, and is believed to be keen to make Corluka, who spent the second half of last season on loan at German club Bayer Leverkusen, his first signing.

     

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