Diarra and not Reyes now Real's number one priority

MADRID, Aug 17 (Reuters) Olympique Lyon midfielder Mahamadou Diarra, not Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes, is the top target for Real Madrid, club president Ramon Calderon said.

Coach Fabio Capello had asked the club to give precedence to recruiting the 25-year-old Mali international who has been a key figure at Lyon over the past four seasons, Calderon told Spanish sports daily AS today.

''We are missing Diarra but we are going to do everything we can to sign him,'' Calderon said. ''On Capello's orders our efforts will be concentrated on getting Diarra.

''Reyes will come only if Arsenal meet our conditions. I'm not going to waste a euro. I feel sorry for the lad if the deal doesn't come off, but we have no arrangement with Reyes to sign him at all costs. Arsenal will have the last word.'' Diarra was quoted as saying in French sports daily L'Equipe yesterday that he wanted to join Real and was even prepared to consider going on strike in order to force the deal through.

''I told them (Lyon) of my desire to go to Real Madrid, but it appears that they haven't understood me,'' he said.

''Maybe they don't understand the opportunity that I'm being offered. An offer from a club like Real Madrid happens once in your career.

''I'm capable of doing anything, including not turning up at training for Lyon or leaving for Mali if the club doesn't negotiate with Real.'' The French champions have said they do not want to lose the battling midfielder and Spanish media reported that they had told Real they would not even consider negotiating for anything less than 35 million euros (44.98 million dollars).

Reuters DH DB1842