Real Madrid are set to load off Mali midfielder Mahamadou Diarra in January, according to Spanish daily Marca. The report suggested that Diarra does not feature in the plans of new coach Bernd Schuster, who is reportedly set to place the defensive midfielder on the transfer list. The news might come as surprise to many, as Diarra, who signed from Lyon in 2006, has been influential in Real's Primera Liga triumph last season. Diarra was acquired by former coach Fabio Capello, but since the arrival of Schuster at Bernabeu, the 26-year-old has been relegated from a key player to a less fundamental role. Moreover, the Mali international will represent his country in the 2008 African Cup of Nations in January, which means he could miss a vital part of the season.
