[Zed.D]

Diarrà Fine Makes Move More Likely

Real Madrid may have pushed Mahamadou Diarrà one step close to the exit door after fining him €300,000 for returning late from the Africa Cup of Nations.

The hefty penalty was dished out as Los Merengues told the former Lyon star to pay a month's wages in after failing to make it back from the recent tournament on time.

Diarrà is already tipped to leave the club this summer, with Inter the likeliest destination, and this latest move by Madrid could tilt the scales.

As well as being handed the fine, Diarrà has been playing less regularly with Bernd Schuster only fielding him when he has no other alternative.

This weekend, Diarrà could well play as both Wesley Sneijder and Guti are injured and the German coach will look to partner him with Fernando Gago against Recreativo.

After being handed the fine in written form by Madrid, Diarrà now has ten days to appeal against what amounts to over four weeks of his salary.

Transnfer rumours have suggested that he could leave and the player's agent, Frederic Guerra, confirmed recently that many clubs are keeping tabs n his situation.

"Milan, Liverpool and Juve have all called, but the team that interests us the most is Inter," the representative said.

"Diarrà still has three years left on his contract, but we can still listen and then speak to Real Madrid.

"The player will be the one that decides, but it will not be easy as Madrid will ask for €25 or €30m."