• Premier League

Diarra quashes talk of Tottenham switch

ESPN staff
August 25, 2011
Harry Redknapp managed Lassana Diarra at Portsmouth © PA Photos
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Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra has dismissed rumours he is set for a move to Tottenham Hotspur.

The 26-year-old is a known target for Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who has made clear his admiration for a player he managed whilst at Portsmouth. The France international has also tasted Premier League football with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Any deal was thought to hinge on the future of Luka Modric, whose potential move to Chelsea would free up the £12m required to prise Diarra from Real's grip before the end of August.

But Diarra insists that no matter what happens with Modric, he is poised to stay at the Bernabeu, where he is contracted until 2013.

"The information about my departure is a lie," Diarra told AS. "There is no agreement with Tottenham and I do not think there will be."

Diarra moved to Madrid from Portsmouth for a fee of around £17 million in January 2009, and has made 26 Primera Division appearances for the club.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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