City Still In Hunt For Diarra

Lassana Diarra MANCHESTER CITY boss Mark Hughes is refusing to give up hope of stealing Lassana Diarra from under Real Madrid's noses.

The Portsmouth star, 23, has agreed a £24million deal to move to Real — but Sparky wants to hijack the switch.

He had made the French midfielder his top priority in next month's transfer window and still plans to change Diarra's mind.

Hughes said: “Diarra is a player I like. He's a good player but, at the moment, he's still a Portsmouth one.

“Things may develop for him. But the window isn't open at this moment so we'll just wait and see what happens. You can make of that what you want.”

If Diarra's deal to Real Madrid goes through, Arsenal could pick up around £4.5m. Pompey paid £5.5m to the Gunners for the player in January and it is understood Arsenal are able to claim 25 per cent of any profit made.