Winger Joe Cole is nearing an exit from Stamford Bridge after latest contract negotiations with Chelsea failed to materialise into something concrete. Cole is out of contract this summer and is one of the most sought after players in the free transfer market. The former West Ham star reportedly wanted his wages to be hiked to £100,000, but Chelsea, who are looking to stabilise their wage structure, were not willing to meet his demands and are prepared to let him go.
Cole has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur, old club West Ham as well as Liverpool. Meanwhile the Reds have received an £4m offer from Chelsea for Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun, which they have rejected. However a bid of around £6m is likely to do the trick, with Benayoun himself saying that “in the end, I’ll be moving to Stamford Bridge.”
Spurs are the favourites to secure Cole on a free transfer as it would enable him to stay in London as well as show his talents in the Champions League.
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