Arsenal to trigger Diame release clause?

Arsenal have been linked with a move for West Ham’s Mohamed Diame after it was revealed he has a £3.5m release clause in his contract at Upton Park.

The midfielder joined the Hammers on a free transfer in the summer after being released by Wigan. Since joining West Ham he has put in some impressive displays for the team and even scored against Arsenal when the two sides met last October. Arsenal are short of options in midfield at present with Mikel Arteta, Francis Coquelin and Abou Diaby all injured. Signing a defensive midfielder that can cover those losses is important.

When asked about Diame in his pre-match press conference today, Arsene Wenger said the following:

"“He has a great presence, I’ve seen him in games where he’s had a big impact, for example against Chelsea where he came on.” – Arsene Wenger on West Ham’s Mohamed Diame."

Whilst this quote certainly doesn’t suggest Arsenal are certainly going to sign Diame, the move would make sense for Wenger. He has experience of playing in the Premier League so he won’t need time to adapt. He is a cheap option and Wenger likes cheap. The move to sign him certainly wouldn’t wow the fans, but if he comes in and does a good job, it wouldn’t be bad buy. I don’t think Diame would be a regular in the side, but I think he’d be a good utility man and could come in when there is an injury crisis. As mentioned above, Arsenal do have problems in midfield with injuries right now and Diame would fill a position of need.

Like I said, the move wouldn’t make me jump out of my chair  in excitement, but he wouldn’t be a bad buy for that price. The thing I have to said to Arsene is though, it’s funny really. Demba Ba had a £7m release clause and you didn’t bother to buy him. In honesty, as an Arsenal fan, if you had signed Ba for £7m and Diame for £3.5m this window, you would have made a lot of fans pleased. £10.5m for 2 players. Right up his street I’d have thought!. Obviously not as Ba is at Chelsea and we don’t know if Diame will sign!.

Plus, if Wigan released Diame, isn’t that a worry for Arsenal fans?. Finally, if he was available for free last summer, why wouldn’t Wenger have signed him then?. Just saying.

Wenger says we’re trying to sign 2 new players before the end of the window. I wouldn’t be surprised if Diame was true due to the price. The second player would be anybody’s guess.

West Ham’s Diame is being linked with a January move across London to Arsenal.