Both Big Sam and David Gold have mentioned this week that Diame has a release clause in his West Ham contract; they've been reluctant to specify the value of the clause, but reports suggest that it's likely to be as little as £4m. Now, I know he's just done his hamstring and may be out for twelve weeks, but I nevertheless think he could be the perfect player for our midfield. His performances for West Ham this season have been reminiscent of Yaya Toure at his best, Diame is the beast; a giant, powerful and driving, mobile and equally adept either going forward or getting back to win the ball, this season under Aladyce he's shown imo that he can become a top class, genuine box to box midfielder. He moved to West Ham on a free in summer from Wigan, and apparently was adamant that this release clause would be part of any deal offered before he'd agree to sign; if true, at £4m he would be an absolute bargain, he's world class potential in my view and the big Premier League clubs, United, Arsenal and Liverpool would be wise to ignore his injury layoff and make West Ham an offer in January.
Mohamed Diame
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
Has he not got some heart issues that resulted in a few failed medicals before? Maybe I'm thinking of someone else.
I dare say I agree with you, but I haven't seen enough of him to know how consistent he is. If every game was like the Chelsea one, he'd be a £20m+ signing. That said, if it was £4m, he'd surely be worth a punt?
I thought he was alright when I he played against us at OT... nothing spectacular mind, but certainly one of West Ham's better players. Having said that, there were many points during the game where he it was as if he wasn't ever fully in control of the ball / his own feet / anything he was actually doing....
If a big midfielder plays well in a game vs. a decent team and he's cheap we all instantly want him. All he'd add is a bit of physicality to our midfield, which is something Ferguson clearly overlooks and doesn't see as that important.
It's true, but this isn't a recent development; his heart issues have been known for a number of years and it hasn't stopped him developing very strongly as a player.
I was just saying to a colleague today that Diame had me wondering if he could do a job for us. The guy is an absolute Yaya Toure type beast in the middle of the park. My colleague also said that West Ham fell apart against Liverpool once he was subbed off at weekend.
Which game are you referring to?
I've watched West Ham a number of times this season and Diame has been immense in the majority of them.
Ya I like him as a player too, technically not bad either for a big lad.
Your colleague is exactly right; Diame was bullying them all over the pitch up until his injury. He was terrific.
The Chelsea one, to be honest I've watched very little of West Ham.
Well, he offers much more than physicality to the game. Think Anderson's driving runs coupled with Welbeck's jostling tenacity and Felaini's aerial control. Or just think Yaya Toure but five years younger and only £4m. I'd like to see Felaini at United but he'd cost the Earth; Diame imo, though a slightly different kind of player (not so much of an eye for goal or flair play), is comparable in terms of overall ability, and just what our current midfield is crying out for.
You're going OTT with the Toure comparisons. Fair enough he could improve further but he's currently not as good as Toure and when Toure was his age he won the Champions League with Barca. He can't control a game like Yaya, physically they have similarities and both can break forward as well and surge past players, but Toure was/is a very good ballplayer and can dictate the play from deep. Currently 1 of only 3 players to make more than 80 passes per game, which is the same story as last season. Diame hasn't shown the same ability to control a match.
What was the deal with his transfer from Wigan? Presume he refused to sign a new contract?
What was the deal with his transfer from Wigan? Presume he refused to sign a new contract?
Not sure about buying him, just hoping his injury lasts til after December, so we don't have to get roughed up 
He's been as good as Yaya this season. Every top player has a breakthrough season, whether that happens in his teens or his mid-twenties, and this season has been Diame's. His injury is untimely, but he'll be back playing some time in February, and if Arsenal or Liverpool come in for him and United miss out then I think it'd be a good opportunity to complete our midfield wasted.
Yeah agreed, Yaya has been really poor compared to last year and just looks like he can't be arsed. Regardless of Toure's current form though, he is a better playmaker than Diame. At Barca that is how he played as he sat in front of the defence in DM and was more reserved than at City, the main aspect of his game was to keep possession.
Not that it's even really relevant because you don't need to play that way to be a good player. My point was more that the Toure comparison was a tad off than a criticism of Diame - as you say he has been great.
I would have a punt for that price, no question. The only slight reservation I have over him is his ability on the ball.
At £4m with our lack of depth in midfield he's definitely worth a punt. We can't play Carrick all the time and apart from him we don't have anyone with defensive ability in midfield unless we count Fletcher but he's been out for too long to rely on him this season.
He's been good for a while now. Not too much he can't do that Yaya can, so if it's a must to have that sort of midfielder, then he'd be a good shout. I've said before, I'm not the biggest Toure fan myself, and you're 60% there if you can just match the physical attributes he has.
For that sort of fee...more than worth a punt...but alongside some real class.
Would be good acquisition at the right price but, if were put.off by his heart condition earlier can't see us taking a punt now.
It amazed me against Chelsea that as soon as he came on West Ham improved massively. Everytime I've seen him he has been brilliant, if he is going for 4 million then there is no chance we should not be interested. How old is he?
Everton'll buy him after finishing above Chelsea and Liverpool and selling Fellaini.
Everton won't qualify for Champions League unless you mean that both Tottenham and Arsenal will finish above and Chelsea will be 6th at best. I reckon Everton would be happy to qualify for Europa League.
Arsenal and Spurs 3rd and 4th for me.
If not a must, surely a fantastic option to have.
Personally I believe United to be at their best hitting teams on the break, we find our most clear cut chances come that way, and with the striking options at our disposal clear cut chances are more often than not converted to goals. Our problem is that in midfield we don't really have the personnel to create those breaking attacks; Rooney when playing deep can pinch the ball and immediately hit the opposition on the break, but he's not a natural midfielder; Anderson can drive the ball forward, but he's not necessarily a ball winner; Carrick can intercept well but doesn't run with the ball; Cleverley is more proficient with intricate link ups rather than the fast counter-attack; our ability to hit teams on the break is severely limited due to our not having the right players in the midfield to regularly initiate such attacks through solid, physical play during the defensive phase. We more often rely on the defence to win back the ball, by which time we're deep and hitting on the break isn't as regularly effective as it could be.
A player like Diame could solve that problem. In one smooth movement he has the ability to tackle the opposition's forward play in the middle of the field and turn the tables on them, driving the ball in the opposite direction, towards the opposing defence; with Rooney, RVP, Valencia, Young etc. flanking the same movement, creating options right across the forward line, us winning the ball regularly in the centre of the pitch and immediately turning defence into attack would oft prove to be devastating for those defending against us. It's for this reason that Anderson has proven so effective in recent games, because alongside Rooney he's the closest match we have to the right player for this kind of play. Diame could be that right player, the perfect match. If we could attack from midfield with the fluency Manchester City achieve through Yaya Toure then we'd be by far and away the best team in the land.
He's 25.
The same in reverse happened when he had to come off injured against Liverpool.
West Ham collapsed after he had to come off injured.
Indeed for 4 mio. I would regard him a def buy, especially considering that we will probably lose two midfielders next season with Scholes and Giggs.
"Yaya Toure at his best"? Come on now....
Diame has certainly looked a decent player, although I think he plays with his head down much like our Jones for a mid-fielder.
Fellaini, or Sandro would be ideal. We should have also shown interest Dembele.
Fellaini, or Sandro would be ideal. We should have also shown interest Dembele.
Well Fergie clearly rates Dembele based on his comments when he went to Spurs. Given the money he went for we can only presume Fergie wasn't interested in strengthening midfield.
Oh don't get me wrong, I like Diame, and for £4m-odd, I'd certainly try to do a deal. In any case, it will still take me a number of months to understand why on earth we did not sign Moussa Dembele.
Good player, with potential to become a very good player but not world class in my opinion. At 25 he's likely to have done the majority of his development, and standing out in a West Ham team shouldn't mean he's of United standard, although it shouldn't be used a prejudice either. I thought he was younger than that, somewhere around the 22-23 mark. But for £4 million he's certainly add much needed drive to our midfield, worth a gamble.
I'd rather get Sandro who is only 21 and looks to have bags and bags of ability, comfortable on the ball as well as being a strong tackler. Hence why you wouldn't get him cheaper than £20 million. They both play different roles though, with Sandro being more of an anchor and Diame a real box to box midfielder.
I'd rather get Sandro who is only 21 and looks to have bags and bags of ability, comfortable on the ball as well as being a strong tackler. Hence why you wouldn't get him cheaper than £20 million. They both play different roles though, with Sandro being more of an anchor and Diame a real box to box midfielder.
No thanks....didnt particularly rate him at Wigan and dont see why we'd be interested..
He isn't just a hard worker off the ball, he has proven his ability with it as well. Good dribbler and has good feet and can play in a 2 man midfield. Reminds me a bit of Ramires with a lot more muscle, for 4m probably a steal.
It does raise a question though: are there any properly 'world class' defensive, holding or deep-sitting midfielders available at the moment? With a Madrid-esque 4231 becoming more and more popular, it's becoming a less specialised position, requiring technical and attacking ability not that far off what's required to play further forward, and a willingess to push forward when in possession.
Of the few really top-class players in that mould out there, I can't think of many that are available. Lots of semi-proven up and comers like M'Vila and Strootman. I would have said De Rossi, but if City can't get him how available can he be?
Of the few really top-class players in that mould out there, I can't think of many that are available. Lots of semi-proven up and comers like M'Vila and Strootman. I would have said De Rossi, but if City can't get him how available can he be?
Sergio Busquets might be available for around £24m if you believe the reports.
West Ham will struggle without him.
He's big for them but they'll do alright.
I've always advocated Luiz had the potential to be a great defensive mid-fielder. I'm shocked he has not been accommodated in that position prior to yesterdays game. He has more talent in his finger nails than Mikel.