Real Madrid Transfer Rumors: Modric and Tevez In? Diarra Out?

The transfer speculation swirling around La Liga champions Real Madrid continues to intrigue soccer fans globally.

The player closest to finalizing a deal with Los Blancos appears to be star Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric. Real boss Jose Mourinho has repeatedly expressed increasing interest in the 26 year old Croatian playmaker, who has been valued by Tottenham at £40 million. It seems likely that Modric will be allowed to leave for less and Real have reportedly tried to offer midfielder Nuri Sahin as part of a deal, according to the Daily Mail.

That would reportedly lower the fee, to about £30 million. Even if Tottenham rejects that offer, it seems likely that Real will be willing to outbid Modric's other sizable suitor, Manchester United.

In other news, the Daily Mail reports that Real has expressed interest in Argentine forward Carlos Tevez. Manager Mourinho is interested in the troubled Manchester City star to put pressure on his established strikers Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain. Although he played an important role in City's late run to the Premier League title, manager Roberto Mancini is unlikely to be too sad to let Tevez go if a club comes up with a £25 million offer. Tevez spent much of the season in Argentina after allegedly refusing to appear as a substitute In a Champions League tie with Bayern Munich.

One man that could be leaving the Bernabeu this summer is Lassana Diarra. The 27 year old French defensive midfielder is looking for more playing time as Sami Khedira has firmly established himself in the holding midfield role. According to ESPN, Diarra is an £8 million transfer target for Russian side Spartak Moscow. Diarra may also have his suitors in England, having impressed in his time in the Premier League, particularly with Portsmouth.