Liverpool seek deal for Hammers midfielder Mohamed Diame

Liverpool, 10/3 to win the Premier League title with Coral, are set to bid £3.5m in the summer for West Ham’s Senegal midfielder Mohamed Diame.

Reports online claim this cut price is in fact the value of the release clause in the Hammers contract of 26-year-old Diame.

His deal at Upton Park expires in 2015, so the east Lndon outfit, managed by Sam Allardyce, must decide whether to sell or risk losing the midfielder for nothing next year.

Diame began his career in English football with Wigan Athletic in 2009, but left the Latics on a free transfer when his contract expired in 2012.

A series of impressive performances with West Ham last season led him to be linked with Arsenal, but now it is Liverpool who are rumoured to be interested.

Brendan Rodgers has Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen competing for midfield berths alongside English pair Jordan Henderson and Kop idol Steven Gerrard.

As Brazilian destroyer Lucas has struggled with injuries throughout his time at Anfield, Diame would add extra steel to the Reds.

If they move for him, it would not be the first time a Senegal star has turned out in a Liverpool shirt.

Forward El Hadji Diouf, defender Djimi Traore and Diame’s namesake Mohamed Sissoko have all plied their trade on Merseyside.

The lure of Champions League football (the Reds are heavily odds-on at 1/33 for a top-four Premier League finish) may be enough to persuade Diame to return to the Northwest.

Liverpool are unlikely to have a clear run on signing this player, however, because of that reported release clause.

Rodgers must hope that no other illustrious suitors come in for Diame, who has 19 caps for Senegal after being eligible to represent them through his father.

Up next for Rodgers’ Reds is an away trip to Cardiff City. Back Liverpool to repeat their 3-1 victory of the reverse fixture here with Coral at 10/1.