Old Trafford boss looks at potential move for England winger.
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MANCHESTER UNITED are ready to make a summer move for England midfielder Joe Cole if he cannot resolve his contract dispute at Chelsea.
Talks on a new deal for Cole have dragged on for weeks and are no nearer being concluded.
Cole, 28, will be out of contract in the summer and clubs are now beginning to be alerted that his future is becoming increasingly uncertain. Sir Alex Ferguson has been an admirer of Cole for some time and the prospect of picking up such an experienced and talented player on the cheap would be an attractive one.
United boss Ferguson is looking for reinforcements on the left for Ryan Giggs and Cole, who could be available as a free agent, would be a bargain.Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp groomed Cole at West Ham and turned him into a star.
He would love to take him to White Hart Lane but Cole’s £80,000-a-week wages at Stamford Bridge are out of his range. Cole has told friends that he would at some stage like to play under Ferguson. He would like to stay at his first love, Chelsea, but talks over a new deal are at a stalemate.He wants to be moved into the same £120,000-plus wage bracket as players such as Nicolas Anelka, but the club are reluctant to hand out big-money deals in the current financial climate.
And Cole has had a miserable season. He came back from a cruciate ligament injury in September and has since started just nine games under Carlo Ancelotti, above, finishing only three.He has made another six substitute appearances, adding up to only 814 minutes of playing time in five months.
On Saturday Cole was hauled off by Ancelotti at half-time against Cardiff in the FA Cup.
Ancelotti says Cole is still a part of his plans, but Manchester City are also keen on Cole and there will be no shortage of suitors. (Express)
It is fairly surprising that Chelsea have still not resolved this issue and a player like Joe Cole will attract all manner of top tier clubs all keen to snap up the England international. The 28 year old has suffered with injuries in recent seasons and the good form shown by Florent Malouda could potentially end the winger’s time at Stamford Bridge.
If Sir Alex is looking for some more creative options for his midfield then there will be few better, and cheaper, options than the former West Ham man. He could in many ways act as a perfect replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. Joe Cole knows where the back of the net is and in a good season where he isn’t hamstrung by niggling knocks he could easily be a dozen goal a season man and he also provides more than his fair share of assists.
Not playing enough will also hinder any hope of a return to the England set-up and he is at an age where regular football is key and the next contract Cole signs will be his more important and possibly his last and therefore he is understandably biding his time.
Carlo Ancelotti has tried to persuade the winger to sign a new deal but clearly Joe Cole won’t want to commit himself to a club who can’t guarantee him a first team spot, let alone a huge wage packet that won’t be given to a player who isn’t a first team regular. The next couple of months will be key and expect a great many offers to be made to the Chelsea man and then it will be up to the Londoner to decide what option best suits his career.
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