Lassana Diarra could be the surprise inclusion in a deal that sees Dimitri Payet return to Olympique Marseille.

L'Equipe is reporting that Marseille could include the midfielder in a deal with the Hammers for their star playmaker Payet.

France international Payet has already been linked with a £34million return to the Stade Velodrome after leaving for West Ham in the summer of 2015 for £10.7m, and 31-year-old Diarra is now being spoken of as a makeweight in any potential deal.

However, Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has reportedly approached the former Real Madrid, Chelsea and Arsenal man about a winter shift to Old Trafford, indicating that West Ham have some competition on their hands.