Pre-season Transfer Speculation & Rumours(2010)

[Phil-M.U.F.C.]

Diarra plans Mourinho talks
Midfielder has interest from England and France to consider

Mahamadou Diarra will delay a decision regarding his future at Real Madrid until he has spoken to new coach Jose Mourinho.

The Mali midfielder has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United and recently admitted he was flattered to be a reported target of the Premier League club.

Diarra struggled to nail down a first-team place at Real last season under Manuel Pellegriniand has been tipped to leave the Santiago Bernabeu.

However, the former Lyon ace's agent Frederic Guerra says Diarra will not make a decision on his future until he has met with Mourinho.
Guerra said in the Sunday Mirror: "Diarra will sit down and listen to whether the new manager has any plans for him before making a decision.

"We have interest from England and France, so if he is not going to get games at Real he will leave."

Mourinho names No.2

Meanwhile, Real have confirmed Mourinho has appointed Aitor Karanka as his second in command at the Bernabeu.

Karanka joins a coaching team consisting of Rui Faria, Silvino Louro and Jose Morais and, like the trio, has also signed a four-year contract with the Spanish giants.

It is thought his appointment came about because Mourinho wanted someone who - like Giuseppe Baresi at Inter Milan - knew the club well.

Karanka spent five years at Madrid, between 1997 and 2002, helping them to three Champions League trophies and one league title.

The 36-year-old was serving as Spain Under-16 coach, while he was also assistant to Gines Melendez with the Under-17s who have just returned as runners-up from the European Championship.

source: skysports.com