Liverpool leading race for Real Madrid midfielder

Liverpool are said to be leading the race for Real Madrid central midfielder Mahamadou Diarra.

According to the report in the Spanish daily Sport , the 29-year-old won't be willing to lower his €2.8 million-a-year wages.

And with this in mind, Real are considering letting him go on a free transfer to ease his passage to another club, even though he is contracted to the Bernabeu outfit until next summer.

Liverpool have lined up the player to replace Barcelona-bound Javier Mascherano, and Diarra himself has already declared his desire to play in the Premier League.

His agent Frederic Guerra is in the process of negotiating with Real Madrid to try and come to an agreement on a free transfer.

Real Madrid are trying to offload some fringe players after a busy summer in the transfer market.

Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and Tottenham, Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe have also been linked with Diarra's services.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.