Le Sulk Nouveau? I'll be off like a shot when big clubs call, Diarra tells Portsmouth

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Midfielder Diarra, who joined Arsenal from Chelsea for £2m only in August, declared that his transfer to Portsmouth was simply a stepping stone to better things.

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Heading south: Diarra has made his move to Fratton Park

It was somewhat reminiscent of his fellow Frenchman, Nicolas Anelka, nicknamed Le Sulk, who arrived at Chelsea from Bolton last week with a pledge that he intends to stay at the club for the rest of his career.

But Anelka is the undisputed king of the move, having played for eight different clubs, making him the world's most expensive footballer with combined transfer fees of £85m.

Diarra, with three transfers in five years, may be on his travels again before too long. Revealing the motivation behind his switch to Fratton Park after six unsettled months at Arsenal, the 22-year-old said: 'My talks with Portsmouth went well. The people at the club know that I won't spend my entire career with them. I was able to have some extra clauses put in my contract.

'I already know that if I shine and a very big club comes in for me, everything will pass off smoothly. I don't want to fight any more battles.

'I read that Arsenal wanted to keep me. But when you want to hang on to someone you use them in matches. That was not the case with me, so they contradicted themselves.'

At least Pompey fans should get to see plenty of their new signing, even if his stay is only fleeting. Diarra added: 'I am very happy. I feel better already because I know I am going to play and string together matches.'

Diarra's arrival prompted the departure of Matt Taylor to Bolton in a £3.5m deal. The 26-year-old midfielder had made just four starts this season.