Spurs Transfer News: Mohamed Diame's £3.5 Million Release Clause Could Be Activated?

Guardian. The club's chairman, Daniel Levy, is of the opinion that the midfielder could be an interesting investment and a suitable alternative to long-term transfer target João Moutinho. Manager Andre Villas-Boas has been an admirer of Moutinho recently having worked with him during his spell at Porto, and unsuccessfully attempted to sign him last summer when his £20 million valuation proved prohibitive, making the player similarly out of reach now, too. Diamé is viewed therefore as a more viable option - due largely to his release clause - but Spurs could face stiff competition from Arsenal, Everton and Fulham. Diamé was used only as a late substitute against Arsenal during West Ham's 5-1 defeat to the Gunners midweek, prompting speculation that he could be about to leave. However, manager Sam Allardyce has insisted Diamé's omission was purely out of tactical reasons and that he wants to keep hold of the player, who signed as a free agent from Wigan last summer. He said:

"He is our player and hopefully, come 1 February, he will still be our player."

Tottenham are without midfielder Sandro for the remainder of the season after he underwent knee ligament surgery, and Villas-Boas needs cover in the midfield department.