Manchester City want Diarra

The transfer rumours which surround a club when a new manager takes charge have made a mockery of Manchester City. Links to Ronaldinho and Jo were in full flow earlier this summer, but little has been heard of them since. Instead, their names have been replaced by the likes of Samba and, most recently, Lassana Diarra.

News of the World reports that Mark Hughes wants to bring in Diarra to strengthen his midfield. Lassana Diarra was playing for Chelsea this time last year before he moved to Arsenal later that summer; in January he moved to Portsmouth.

It was at Portsmouth that the French midfielder really impressed as helped them win the FA Cup. Now, it seems that Mark Hughes will have to break his piggy bank to land Diarra. The Lancashire Evening Post reckons that City will have to pay about £8 million for Portsmouth’s midfielder.

[Sources: Lancashire Evening Post, News of the World]