Allardyce claims money will dictate Arsenal, Spurs and Chelsea target’s future

By Nick Wright Wednesday, January 30, 2013
7.50 AM

Transfer news: Sam Allardyce believes in-demand midfielder Mohamed Diame will leave West Ham in the coming days if the money’s right.

The 25-year-old has a £3.5million release clause in his contract at Upton Park and is a reported January target for London quartet Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea and QPR.

Allardyce admitted to considerable “confusion” over Diame’s future yesterday and while he still hopes to keep hold of him, the Hammers boss believes money will be the deciding factor in whether the former Wigan man departs before Thursday’s transfer deadline.

“I’ve talked to him about a million times but at the end of the day it will be money talking again,” said Allardyce.

“When money talks there’s no stopping it today. It’ll be the money that talks, especially in this window.

“We’ll just hope that he’s not going to be a player that we lose at this time.”

Despite the intense speculation surrounding Diame’s future, Allardyce insists he will not hesitate to call on him for tonight’s Premier League clash at Fulham.

“He’s a professional,” he said. “He’s paid to play for West Ham United.

“You expect everybody to put the shirt on and play with the passion, the desire and the ability that they’ve got.

“He’s had a long spell out with a hamstring injury, Mo, and is only just finding his feet again.”

He added: “My plan is to play him [against Fulham] because I believe and I hope that he’s going to be here after Thursday.”