Tottenham close in on Real Madrid star Lassana Diarra

Image caption, Diarra has fallen out of favour since Real signed Sami Khedira in 2010
  • Author, David Ornstein
  • Role, 91热爆 Sport

Tottenham are close to completing a deal to sign Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra for a reported 拢10m.

The 26-year-old joined Real from Portsmouth for 拢20m in 2008 and has scored one goal in 89 appearances.

Paris-born Diarra, who has 28 caps for France, started his career with Le Havre before joining Chelsea in 2005 and Arsenal two years later.

Tottenham are also in talks with Manchester City over a loan move for Togolese striker Emmanuel Adebayor.

If both players arrive at White Hart Lane, attention is sure to focus on how Spurs boss Harry Redknapp juggles a squad that already includes a number of established midfielders and forwards.

Redknapp's midfield options include Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, Sandro, Wilson Palacios, Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar.

In wide and attacking positions he has Gareth Bale, Aaron Lennon, Rafael van der Vaart, Steven Pienaar, Roman Pavlyuchenko, Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.

Chelsea have made for Modric, but Spurs insist the Croatian is staying put.

, meanwhile, are subject to offers from Stoke.