Liverpool FC closing in on free agent Joe ColeLIVERPOOL are ready to intensify their efforts to win the three-way battle for Joe Cole – as Roy Hodgson today revealed his search for a left-back has stepped up a gear.
The Reds have been in constant contact with Cole's advisers in recent weeks and are determined to repel the challenge of Arsenal and Tottenham to land the England star's signature.
Hodgson went public over the weekend about the esteem in which he holds Cole and Liverpool are ready to give the gifted playmaker a stage to showcase his talents – and a lucrative salary.
It had looked odds-on a couple of weeks ago that Cole would end up a White Hart Lane but recent signs suggest Harry Redknapp has lost confidence about their ability to seal a deal.
A sticking point might be Cole's reluctance to uproot his young family from London but Liverpool are hoping to convince him moving north is the right thing to do.
One bookmaker suspended betting on Saturday about Cole joining Liverpool but while that was wide of the mark, Hodgson would evidently love to see the 28-year-old pull on a Red shirt.
“I'm not a betting man so that doesn't actually play a big part that betting is suspended,” said Hodgson. “I don't even know enough about betting to know what that means.
“As far as I know, Joe Cole is still a player looking for a club. I know we've been connected with him, and it's good to know we're connected with players of that quality.
“I haven't had any discussions with him, but I had a brief chat a while back.”
Cole has said that regular first team football would be the key to deciding where he moves to and Liverpool would give him that.Landing Cole would be quite a coup and Liverpool – who are anxious to make a statement of intent – will leave no stone unturned to make that happen; further talks are planned.
Hodgson can expect to be busy in the transfer market before the window shuts and a pressing concern is to bring in a quality left-back.
Emiliano Insua's £5m move to Fiorentina will be completed in the next couple of days and with Fabio Aurelio having been released, Hodgson wants to move quickly.
“We are short and that is going to be one of the priorities,” Hodgson confirmed. “We need to find a replacement for Emiliano and Fabio. That is one job we will have to do.
“As far as we understand, the deal (for Insua) has been completed between the clubs and his agent is sorting out personal terms – maybe it was the right time for him to move on.”
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