Sparky contradicts Diarra claims
Manchester City manager Mark Hughes claims an offer was
never made to Real Madrid new boy Lassana Diarra.
Moneybags City were keen on the Portsmouth midfielder but
decided not to compete for his signature when Real made their
decisive move ahead of the transfer window.
Hughes remains convinced that the club can still attract
exciting signings despite their precarious league position and
feels the Frenchman was wrong to state he opted to head for the
Bernabeu in preference to The City of Manchester Stadium, even
though there was more money on offer to stay in England.
"That statement surprised me," said Hughes. "We were made aware
of what level the deal was at and what it would take to bring the
boy to the club.
"In the end, we understood the figures and felt it wasn't right
for us. We never made an offer for Lassana Diarra and we weren't
given permission to speak to him so, for him to say we offered him
more money, is completely wrong."
Hughes is not concerned about City's current plight, as they
find themselves in the bottom three despite their envious financial
clout.
"We've been linked with every player that's known to man I
think," he added.
"We have to accept that but, at the end of the day, we have a
project here at the football club and at this time of its
development, it's very exciting.
"If players see an opportunity to come here, we can offer them
something that will stimulate them and allow them to progress. I
think, at this moment in time, people will be realistic about our
development and look at where we want to go to from a footballing
view.
"That's exciting for anybody and the fact that this moment in
time we're not in a position we'd like to be in, most people in
football understand that's not where we anticipate being at the end
of the year.
"As a consequence, our ability to attract players won't be
damaged."
