Tottenham Hotspur are considering whether to meet Mohamed Diamé’s €4 million release clause at West Ham United and tempt the midfielder across London this month, with the club’s chairman, Daniel Levy, coming to view him as an interesting investment.

André Villas-Boas, the Tottenham manager, would love to sign the midfielder João Moutinho, a player he worked with while in charge at Porto and whom he unsuccessfully attempted to bring to White Hart Lane last summer. But back then, Moutinho’s price proved prohibitive – upwards of €25 million – and he is similarly out of reach now.

Meanwhile, West Brom have rejected a transfer request from striker Peter Odemwingie, the club’s sporting and technical director, Richard Garlick, has confirmed.

Odemwingie is a target for QPR, who have already had a bid of €2.5 million turned down by Albion during the current transfer window.

Garlick stressed that the Baggies had “no need” to sell any of their players.