According to the Daily Mirror, Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra is set for an £18m January move to Manchester City.

Diarra is currently laid up with an ankle injury, but he could be set to make a return to the squad next weekend when Pompey face Bolton. However, it could be one of his final appearances for the club, if reports of an impending big-money move to City are true.

The 23-year old wasn’t able to make the breakthrough that he wanted at either Chelsea or Arsenal, but he’s flourished at Pompey since moving from Arsenal in January 2007. As a result, he’s etched a place for himself in the French national team, with 16 caps currently to his name.

Portsmouth may or may not be in a ‘must sell’ position, but if £18m is indeed the offer that comes Portsmouth’s way, it’d be hard for the club to turn it down. That’s almost four times as much as what they paid for him, and it’d really beef up the coffers and allow for a January buy or two.

Is he worth £18m Well if City want to pay that much for him, then he is, right Not to say that he won’t be an impact player at City, because he could be, but I think he and Portsmouth would come out the biggest winners in this one if it happens.