Spurs ready to rival Man United for former Arsenal & Chelsea enforcer

According to reports from The Metro, Tottenham Hotspur have joined Manchester United in the transfer battle to sign former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder Lassana Diarra.

The France international comes with proven experience in the Premier League, making 43 appearances for Arsenal and Chelsea combined before lifting the FA Cup with Portsmouth in 2008.

Following stints with Real Madrid, Anzhi and Lokomotiv Moscow, the 31-year-old signed for Marseille on a free transfer last summer and his performances since have generated heavy interest from the Premier League.

Indeed, Jose Mourinho is reportedly very keen to make Diarra one of his first transfer acquisitions as Manchester United boss, should he replace Louis van Gaal this summer as widely expected.

But according to The Metro, who cite L’Equipe, Tottenham Hotspur are ready to rival the Red Devils for the former Bernabeu star’s signature – especially amid news they could sign him without paying a transfer fee.

It’s claimed the four-year contract Diarra signed at Stade Velodrome last summer included a clause that will let him leave for free at the end of the season.