By John Drayton
PUBLISHED: 03:55 EST, 27 January 2013 | UPDATED: 03:55 EST, 27 January 2013
Mohamed Diame has told close friends he is keen to complete a move to Arsenal this week.
The West Ham midfielder, who is trying to force through a move before the transfer window closes on Thursday, infuriated manager Sam Allardyce by turning up late for a team meeting last week.
Allardyce had called the 7am meeting to dress down his players after a lacklustre performance resulting in a 5-1 drubbing against Arsenal.
Finally: Mohamed Diame hopes to secure a move away from West Ham before the window closes
With every other player on time for the early-morning meeting, Diame eventually arrived at the Hammers' Chadwell Heath training base an hour late.
Allardyce seems to have conceded defeat again to Arsenal, with the Gunners set to trigger a 3.5million release clause for the Senegalese midfielder, according to the Sunday People.
Arsenal may have to fight of late competition from north London rivals Tottenham, who could make a bid before the window closes.
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I'd rather see how Diaby goes on after injury than work round someone who sticks out at West Ham...
- Jagger , Bkk, Thailand, 27/1/2013 14:35
I've liked watching Diame play since he joined us - he's worked hard and been solid in midfield but this story sums up everything I hate about modern day footballers!! He turns up late for a team meeting that's been called because he and the rest of the team were woeful the night before and, when he gets torn of a strip by his boss, he spits his dummy out and starts shouting about wanting to leave! GROW UP!!
- Ian Gray , Evesham, United Kingdom, 27/1/2013 13:53
Great investigative journalism, facts, sources, specific dates.. call The Pulitzer Prize committee
- George Gee , London, 27/1/2013 13:23
With Arsene Wenger,coming late for a team meeting is enough to change his mind even if he was interested.
- ayport , Larkspur, 27/1/2013 13:17
So if I tell my mates I wanna play for Barcelona will Barcelona sign me?
- Thierryierry Henry , Highbury, 27/1/2013 12:46
Just told mates I want to sign for arsenal, Had an argument with my boss last week.
- SAFC2012 , London, 27/1/2013 12:13
Don't buy Diame. Diame is a good player. We have good players. We had great players. We sold our great players and bought good players. We are now a good team, not a great team. We need great players.
- Coquelin is good , London, 27/1/2013 12:08
If he wants to go ? then let him go ! no one is bigger than a club? then west ham would do well to sign Joey Barton as a midfield play maker ball winner??? he"d do well to link up with Big Sam Nolan and Carroll like they have before???? and they did well then together???????????
- dusty , london, United Kingdom, 27/1/2013 12:00
I'm not convinced that this guy is good enough for Arsenal. None of the big teams wanted him when he left Wigan, and there is hardly a massive queue now. I think much of this speculation is just his agent trying to whip up some interest.
- ronburgundy , essex, 27/1/2013 11:16
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Is he better than Santos? No wait EVERYONE is better than Santos.
- Tony , Petersfield, 27/1/2013 14:44
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