Diarra is a target for Madrid coach Fabio Capello
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French champions Olympique Lyon said it has not yet received an offer from Real Madrid for Mali midfielder
Mahamadou Diarra.
"There has never been any direct contact, much less any
negotiation, between the club and Real Madrid concerning
Mahamadou Diarra," the club said on Friday.
But the club did not deny Spanish newspaper reports claiming
Diarra's agent has been contacted by Madrid.
"The only direct contact, as cited by the daily AS, were
established between Real Madrid and the player's agent,"
Lyon said.
Having lost Ghana midfielder Michael Essien to Chelsea
last year, Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas is desperate to
keep Diarra, who is seen as a priority signing by Madrid
coach Fabio Capello.