Real Madrid chief Mijatovic to make new Diarra bid

Real Madrid sports director Predrag Mijatovic is in France today to make a new offer for Olympique Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra.

Mijatovic is prepared to table an £18 million cash bid for the Mali international, who controversially arrived 45 minutes late for training yesterday at Lyon.

Diarra told AS last night: "I trust that in the end I will be playing for Real Madrid."

He added that he was feeling "very tense" as negotiations over his transfer fee dragged on between the two clubs.