Manchester United and Tottenham are battling for Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra.
The Daily Star says both clubs are interested in signing 26-year-old midfield anchorman Diarra.
Bernabeu boss Jose Mourinho has held talks with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and the club have placed an £18m price tag on the Frenchman.
Diarra played for both Arsenal and Chelsea before joining Real in January 2009 from Portsmouth for £20m.
Sir Alex Ferguson is interested after Owen Hargreaves' release and Paul Scholes' retirement.
Tottenham's boss Harry Redknapp is on alert after he worked with Diarra at Pompey.
