The France international who featured for Les Blues at Euro 2012, is set to arrive in London on Thursday to finalise a deal with the newly-promoted Premier League side

For all the latest reports and transfer rumours, visit our dedicated section here West Ham are close to completing the signing of Marseille midfielder Alou Diarra , according to L’Equipe.The 31-year-old is expected to leave the Ligue 1 side this summer and Sam Allardyce is looking to bring the experienced midfielder to the Premier League.French newspaper La Provence reports that Diarra will joins the Hammers on a two-year deal when he arrives in London on Thursday.Diarra only joined Marseille 12 months ago, but could not repeat the success he enjoyed with former club Bordeaux where he won the Ligue 1 title twice as Marseille finished a disappointing 10th last season.However, he was included in the France squad for Euro 2012 and started their opening match against England.Sam Allardyce is looking to bolster his West Ham squad for the start of the new season as they aim to cement their place in the Premier League after promotion from the Championship last season via the play-offs.Allardyce is hoping to add Diarra to other new recruits Mohamed Diame, George McCartney, Modibo Maiga and James Collins at Upton Park.