According to reports from The Daily Star, Jose Mourinho could make former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra his first transfer signing as Manchester United manager.
The 31-year-old enforcer, who played under the Special One 63 times at former club Real Madrid, has been in fine form for Marseille this season, averaging 3 tackles, 1.8 interceptions and 3.1 successful dribbles per match to muscle his way back into the France national team following a five-year absence.
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Also boasting Premier League experience from prior spells with Arsenal and Chelsea, registering 43 appearances for both clubs combined before sealing a January 2008 transfer to Portsmouth where he won the FA Cup, the veteran midfielder is attracting interest from Manchester United ahead of the summer transfer window.
They were reported to be scouting Diarra last month ahead of a potential transfer bid and The Daily Star – who cite French publication Le10Sport – now claim the Ligue 1 star could become Jose Mourinho’s first signing as United boss, should he replace Louis van Gaal at the end of the season as widely expected.
Despite signing a four-year contract only last summer, it is claimed Marseille won’t command a huge fee for Diarra – who The Daily Star have mooted as a potential replacement for Michael Carrick. Yet to extend his current deal, the England international looks set to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer this summer.