 Diarra has a contract with Lyon until 2009 |
Real Madrid have denied making an illegal approach to Malian midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, who plays for French champions Lyon. "Neither Real Madrid president (Fernando Martin) nor vice-president (Emilio Butragueno) have at any time made contact or had a conversation with the player or his agent," the Spanish club said in a statement.
Diarra's agent had told Spanish sports daily AS that Martin and Butragueno had made an illegal move for the 24-year-old player.
He claimed they spoke to him by telephone on Wednesday without the consent of the French champions. Diarra's contract with Lyon runs until June 2009.
A Real Madrid spokesman stressed the club moved swiftly to deny the report in light of their excellent relations with Lyon.
"The French club would always be the first to be informed of the possible interest of Real in one of their players," the statement added.
MMIX
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