West Ham's attempt to sign 'free agent' Lassana Diarra has been ended by a considerable amount of very messy, red tape.
The former Real Madrid and Arsenal midfielder has been training with West Ham for a number of weeks, as reported here on KUMB last month, with view to sealing a contract after a planned move to Inter fell through.However the Hammers' attempts to resolve the legal issues Diarra has with his former club, Lokomotiv Moscow, have proved fruitless - with Allardyce conceding tonight that he will not be able to sign the player this season.
"It's not going to happen due to administration reasons, which is a real shame," Allardyce revealed in tonight's post-match press conference. FIFA regulations, apparently.
"To get a player of his quality, with a lot to prove, would have been a huge bonus for us," he added.
Allardyce was left without a recognised central midfielder on the bench at Southampton tonight, with neither Kevin Nolan nor Mark Noble able to play.
Further injury concerns in defence - with Winston Reid and James Collins still sidelined - led to Cheik Kouyate filling in at centre half at St Mary's for a second consecutive match.
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