STOKE READY TO BID FOR COLE
Posted on July 26, 2010
Stoke City are ready to bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole. Stoke are contemplating lodging a bid of £9-10 million up front plus a further £4 million worth of add-ons, which will be based upon their success with Cole in the side.
Stoke were one of the first clubs to be linked with Cole earlier in the summer, but talk of an £8 million bid a month ago was never going to persuade West Ham to sell.
The Hammers value Cole at £15 million as strikers demand a premium price, but with no takers so far the East London club revised their asking figure down to £12 million.
Stoke City are coming closest to meeting that asking price, even though £4 million will be based on Cole’s appearances and how well Stoke do as a club.
The race for Cole is sure to hot up with Stoke now making the sort of offer that could tempt West Ham to sell. Having brought in four new players, West Ham need to start balancing the transfer books.