Lassana Diarra has admitted he has not yet sealed a move to Real Madrid.
Portsmouth accepted a bid from the Spanish champions - reported to be £20m - for the midfielder, 23, on Wednesday.
But Manchester City manager Mark Hughes later said he was still interested in trying to reach a deal for the France international midfielder.
Asked whether he would prefer Madrid to Manchester, Diarra told Spanish newspaper AS on Saturday: "Football is complicated and anything could happen."
He added: "I cannot talk [now]. I don't want to.
"They are calling me from England and France, but I will talk inside a few days."
Diarra was given permission to speak to Real and is free to agree a deal with the club in view of joining them when the transfer window opens in January.
But others clubs could still feasibly come in for the player should they match or raise the Spanish club's offer.
The element of doubt cast over Diarra's move to Madrid comes after he strongly indicated to Spanish newspaper Marca that he wanted to move to Real.
"When you talk about Real Madrid the other teams are no longer important, all the others take second place," he said.
"It would be a dream to be able to play for such a large club."
Assuming the player is sold, Pompey boss Tony Adams will get all of the money from Diarra's sale to sign new players.
"It's a substantial offer. Every penny is mine, and I had money before that, so I am delighted," said Adams on Wednesday.
"Every decision at this club will be through me and when Real Madrid offers a lot of money for one of your players I have a decision to make. 606: DEBATE
Is this good business for Portsmouth?
"The lad wants to play for Real Madrid and it's a magnificent offer that will get me some recruitments for Portsmouth."
Diarra started his career with French side Le Havre before signing for Chelsea in 2005. He moved to the Gunners on the final day of the August 2007 transfer window but left for Pompey five months later.
"We have always said that we would only allow our players to leave if we received an exceptional bid," a Pompey spokesman told the club's website.
"We could not stand in the way of a move such as this for Lassana.
"It shows how far the club has come under the ownership of Alexandre Gayadamak when Real Madrid come in for one of our players.
"Should the deal be completed, we have already identified possible replacements."
Diarra has not played for Pompey since 15 November but is close to a return following an ankle injury.
Real are now coached by former Tottenham boss Juande Ramos and want a defensive midfielder because Mali international Mahamadou Diarra is sidelined for the season after undergoing knee surgery.
