Manchester City are lining up a £10 million bid for Portsmouth midfielder Lassana Diarra.

The Mirror says Diarra, 23, was expected to link up again with former Pompey boss Redknapp at Spurs in the New Year.

The ex-Chelsea ace has been a revelation on the South Coast since swapping Arsenal for Fratton Park in January for £5.5m.

But Pompey need to cut costs and Diarra is keen to quit after being unsettled by Redknapp's move to White Hart Lane.

Tottenham were hot favourites until City, bankrolled by the Abu Dhabi royal family, dangled a huge £85,000-a-week offer towards Diarra's representatives.

Man City manager Mark Hughes is optimistic of landing him after pulling off the audacious signing of Brazilian superstar Robinho on £160,000-a-week.