United keen on Real star and other red-hot gossip

Manchester United are keeping a close eye on tough tackling Real Madrid midfielder Lassana Diarra. The Spaniard’s have slapped a £17m price tag on the Frenchman’s head and could use him in a part exchange for Patrice Evra. The 25-year-old impressed in La Liga after moving to Madrid from Portsmouth for £20m 15 months ago, but recently lost his starting place to Fernando Gago, fuelling speculation of a return to England. Diara has also played for Chelsea and Arsenal in his career. Elsewhere, Tottenham face competition from Atletico Madrid and Galatasaray for the signature of Bayern Munich's Turkey international midfielder Hamit Altintop; Charlton will not risk playing Liverpool-bound Jonjo Shelvey in the League One play-offs - because they fear the prospect of losing his £3m transfer fee; and Borussia Dortmund have slapped a £20m price tag on Manchester United target Neven Subotic.