Alou Alou: Diarra on his way

West Ham are on the verge of signing experienced French international Alou Diarra, according to reports emanating from across the Channel tonight.

The 31-year-old was due to arrive in London on Thursday evening, according to trusted French football outlet L'Equipe.

The much-travelled Diarra, who currently plays for French Ligue 1 side Olympique de Marseille is said to on his way to the UK in order to complete a medical before finalising a move to West Ham.

A defensive midfielder, who can also be utilised in the centre of defence Diarra spent three years as a Liverpool player when he was signed by Gerard Houllier, a fellow Frenchman, in 2002 from Bayern Munich.

However he failed to make a single appearance for the Merseyside club and spent the three years contracted to the club on loan at Le Havre, Bastia and Lens - who he eventually joined on a permanent basis in 2005.

The 6'3" Frenchman's most successful years followed thereafter as he moved to Lyon in 2006 - where he picked up a league-winners medal - and then on to Bordeaux in 2007 where he spent the next four years.

It was during this stage in his career that he captained his country at the 2010 World Cup Finals, in their opening game of the tournament against hosts South Africa.

Linked with clubs such as Manchester City in the past, Diarra moved to current club Marseille in July 2011 for €5million.