West Brom boss Pulis: Offer made to Diaby

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis has claimed that Abou Diaby could play 30 Premier League games a season if he decides to join the Baggies.

West Brom face a battle with Marseille to land ex-Arsenal ace Abou Diaby, writes Steve Goodman in the Sunday People.

A prodigious talent and former student of the famous INF Clairefontaine football academy in Paris, Diaby had been tipped for a hugely successful career and showed flashes of his ability for the Gunners during a 10-year spell after signing for them from Auxerre in 2005. “We’ve made him an offer and we shall see”, Pulis told the club website.

Diaby, who was recently released by Arsenal, has a long history of injury problems, but Pulis is a big admirer of the talented midfielder. He is a top player and I mean he is a top, top player. “The big thing with Abou is getting him fit”, said West Brom boss Tony Pulis.

Pulis watched his side beat Swindon 4-1 on Saturday in a pre-season friendly, with the only negative aspect of that result being a calf strain for Baggies defender Gareth McAuley.

The last time Diaby completed 90 minutes in the Premier League was on September 2nd 2012 during a 2-0 win over Liverpool and his performance that day proved that when fit he can be an excellent player, as he completed 88% of his passes.

Jonas Olsson was rested, while Craig Dawson missed the game through a minor thigh injury. “We are hoping he will be alright if not for next week then he will certainly be OK for the start of the season”.