Lassana Diarra is on the brink of signing for Olympique de Marseille, despite recent rumours linking him with a move to the Premier League.
The France international spent four years in England earlier in his career, moving to Chelsea from Le Havre in 2005, before heading to Arsenal two years later.
Surprisingly, he didn’t establish himself under compatriot Arsene Wenger and switched to Portsmouth in 2008.
He enjoyed a fine campaign with Pompey—winning the 2008 FA Cup to add to the domestic cup double he’d won the season before—and was snapped up by Real Madrid in 2009.
Despite a few competent seasons with the Merengues, Diarra steadily fell out of favour, and subsequently featured for Anzhi Makhachkala and Lokomotiv Moscow in the Russian Premier League.
He has been a free agent for just under a year, but administrative issues prevented him from joining a new club—despite West Ham United being reportedly keen on bringing him to the EPL back in June [Daily Mail].
However, the Hammers are set to be disappointed in their quest for the 30-year-old French international, with L’Equipe reporting that the midfielder is on the brink of a move to Marseille.
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The veteran has never played in the French top flight, but is expected to sign for OM within the next few hours, and will likely agree a four-year contract following a medical.
Inter Milan are also understood to be keen on the midfielder, according to the French source.