Source: Daily_Mail
The Insider: Lassana Diarra too dear for Spurs
Simon Jones is Sportsmail's man on the inside of all the major transfer moves this summer. [LNB]His column, published every weekday, offers an insight into the deals which will be done and those that won't - and why. [LNB]A 5/5-rating means The Insider reckons it's a done deal; 0/5 means The Insider has his mortgage on it not happening.[LNB]Don't miss your daily Insider instalment here.[LNB] LASSANA DIARRAReal Madrid to Tottenham THE INSIDER says: 2/5[LNB]TETEH BANGURAAIK Solna to Manchester UnitedTHE INSIDER says: 2/5[LNB] [LNB] [LNB]Manager Harry Redknapp has always been a big fan of the French midfielder and it is clear he hasn't got a long-term future at Madrid. [LNB]They have a surplus of central midfielders although a few would argue they are not all as good at anchoring the midfield as him. [LNB]Tottenham's priorities remain to find two strikers and an extra centre-half with tensions increasing also over the future of Luka Modric and Chelsea's continuing interest.[LNB]Diarra is available and there has been talk of first option for Gareth Bale if but the significant issue with Diarra is an omnipresent one for Tottenham and their targets - salary.[LNB]Tottenham are now bidding to be continuous Champions League challengers so want players of the quality that can keep them there - unfortunately not all the players want to come for the wages Tottenham pay. Diarra is on around ?120,000 a week and that's a hefty drop to play for Tottenham. [LNB]Bale is likely to go next summer but not necessarily to Madrid with Barcelona, AC Milan and Inter all asking to be kept informed of developments. [LNB]Outgoings would help negotiations over players such as Diarra but they continue to be slow progress with the likes of Aston Villa struggling to finance the purchase of Alan Hutton and Robbie Keane. [LNB]Sportsmail first revealed the increasing interest in Bangura at the start of the summer when Newcastle were primed to make a move for the young Sierra Leone prospect.[LNB]But problems with work permits due to his country being ranked outside the top 75 and the fact he has only played two internationals halted progress. [LNB]They were also in a quandary as the money from Andy Carroll's sale had to be spent wisely to appease fans and that is why they were targeting a more proven striker such as Mevlut Erding at Paris St Germain. [LNB]However, his reluctance to come to the North East is not giving the best impression and a deal which would have been little more than ?4million for Bangura at the time may be more difficult to conclude now. [LNB]Scout Martin Ferguson, brother of Sir Alex (above), went to watch Bangura and his strike partner Mohamed Bangura on Sunday against Elfsborg and is understood to have been reasonably impressed despite their 1-0 defeat. [LNB]The 21-year-old has 15 goals in 16 games and is also attracting strong interest from Russia while Tottenham and PSG watched him. [LNB]He only went to Sweden after he was forced to return to Sierra Leone following the bankruptcy of USL outfit Cleveland City Stars but looks destined for England soon. [LNB] GERSON MAGRAODynamo Kiev to Liverpool THE INSIDER says: 3/5[LNB]RAUL ALBIOLReal Madrid to Manchester CityTHE INSIDER says: 1/5[LNB] [LNB]Liverpool's defensive frailties were evident yet again last night as they conceded another three goals in the friendly against Valerenga. [LNB]The balance of the side does not look right and while Glen Johnson can perform competently on the left hand side, a natural left-back would be an ideal purchase over the next few weeks.[LNB] Magrao is the latest to be mentioned around Liverpool. He is Brazilian and 26 but has yet to be capped - although they are blessed with world-class players in that position. [LNB]Magrao is not at that level and while he has impressed occasionally for Kiev there are question marks about his overall consistency.[LNB] He is understood to have a Portuguese passport so work permit issues could be resolved but Liverpool will have to determine whether he is worth the reputed ?6million fee and whether he is better than the young players they already have. [LNB]Newcastle's unsettled Jose Enrique was a player they had dismissed but they may be forced to think again as they consider their options. [LNB]Cesena are showing interest in Emiliano Insua and that could help as they strive to offload more fringe players to fund new ones with greater onus on players having the quality to hit the ground running in the Premier League.[LNB]Real Madrid will sell and the Spain international has been mooted to be part of a swap deal to bring Emmanuel Adebayor to the Bernabeu. But their are flaws to such a transfer. [LNB]Firstly, there is no great evidence that Albiol would improve Manchester City. They need attacking players with creative flair as their priority having already signed a left-back in Gael Clichy and in Stefan Savic a young right-sided centre-back.[LNB] Albiol is still only 25 and not without talent in terms of his defending tasks and his ability on the ball but City are competently covered.[LNB] He could come into consideration at other Premier League clubs such as Arsenal or Tottenham but Real value him at around ?10million. [LNB]Adebayor looks increasingly unlikely to return to Madrid despite his best efforts to declare his love for all things Mourinho. [LNB]He is not last on their list of targets but is well down as they look for more mobility. His chances don't seem to have been helped by Cristiano Ronaldo declaring Real don't need him but it's probably fair comment - especially when you consider the Portuguese may fancy his chances of playing centre forward. [LNB]Adebayor's suitors are mainly in England but all will struggle with the finances.[LNB]Don't miss your daily instalment of The Insider every weekday through the transfer window here at MailOnline. CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE FANTASY FOOTBALL GAMEClub-by-club guide to all the Barclays Premier League summer transfersPREMIER LEAGUE NEW KIT SPECIAL: Strips your team will wear in 2011-12[LNB] [LNB]
