Lyon warn Man Utd off Diarra bid
Lyon chief Jean-Michel Aulas claims Manchester United will have to pay more than £24.5m if they want to sign Mahamadou Diarra this summer.
Sir Alex Ferguson initially enquired about the 24-year-old last year, and has been tipped to make a move again.
But chairman Aulas says the midfielder will cost more than Michael Essien, who joined Chelsea for £24.5m last summer.
"Diarra will be here next season," he said. "Even if a good deal is possible, he'll be more expensive than Essien."
Ferguson is expected to strengthen his team over the summer ahead of a Premiership and European challenge next season.
United have just signed a £56m four-year shirt sponsorship deal with AIG, while the Glazer family have pledged to support Ferguson in the transfer market.
Ferguson spent £12.5m in the January transfer on defensive duo Patrice Evra and Nemanja Vidic - and chief executive David Gill recently said: "There are funds there if you are investing in the product.
"I spoke to Joel (Glazer) and said, 'these are the players the manager is interested in' and he just said 'go do it'."
