Lassana Diarra Finally, Maybe, Possibly On The Verge Of A Move To Spurs

You know that rumor that comes around every transfer window where Tottenham will buy Lassana Diarra? Well it's been alive and well this summer, but now it looks like the transfer might actually go through. I'm still not inclined to believe it until it actually happens because this flirtation with Lass has been going on for far too long now, but I think it's safe to say that some progress has been made.

It feels as if a transfer window cannot pass without Tottenham making an inquiry about Diarra only for them to encounter a familiar problem in the shape of his wage demands. The 26-year-old earns £120,000 a week at the Bernabéu.

Yet the Tottenham chairman, Daniel Levy, under pressure from Redknapp, has sought to put together the most attractive package possible for Diarra, featuring bonuses and a large signing-on fee, and hope has turned to conviction in recent days that a deal can be struck.

We have always been destined to get a central midfielder. Whether it's Diarra or Scott Parker or me, it seems like Harry has always wanted another central midfielder. As far as central midfielders go though, Lass is pretty damn good. He's familiar with Harry after his time at Portsmouth and could step in immediately.

Put Lass deep in the midfield and let him shield the back line and all of a sudden some of the ills of the defense are cured. His range is tremendous and he's always keen to tackle, while his passing out of the back is more dependable than any of Spurs' more defensive minded midfielders.

Lass is continually linked to Spurs because of Harry's affection for him, but also because he hasn't gotten on the field as much as a player of his quality probably should. He got more of a chance a year ago with Madrid, making 39 appearances, but he's on the outs at the Bernabeu. Now that Nuri Sahin has joined the team with Xabi Alonso and Sami Khedira seemingly first choice, Esteban Granero there and Pepe capable of playing in the midfield, there isn't much room for Lass.

That paves the way for Spurs to bring in Lass. The price isn't clear and there are still the financials to work out, but it's tough to see much downside to bringing Lass in. He makes Spurs tough through the center and assuming a striker comes along eventually, the team looks awfully tough. Then again, the financials are the most important part of the deal so let's see if this one actually happens.