Diarra and not Reyes now Real's no.1 priority

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.

"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... Arsenal will have the last word."

Diarra was quoted as saying 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. 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.

¤ Real Madrid are close to agreeing a deal to extend David Beckham's contract beyond the end of the season, club president Ramon Calderon said.

"We have spoken with his agent and we are agreed that we should extend his contract," Calderon said.

"Beckham has told me that he is happy in Madrid, that his children are happy, that Brooklyn speaks Spanish... he is delighted with things and for Madrid he is a vital player for his contribution on the pitch and for what he represents."

Beckham joined Real Madrid on a four-year contract from Manchester United in 2003, but has yet to win a major trophy at the club.