By Football Talk.
Joe Cole has told close friends he wants to join Manchester United, according to The Sun newspaper. The midfielder will become a free agent next week when his contract with Chelsea expires, and it seems that Manchester United are now leading the race for his signature.
The news will stun Arsenal fans, as the Gunners were expected to tie up a deal for Cole after the World Cup, while Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and new Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho are both keen on Cole as well.
Until now, it was thought that Cole would stay in London as his wife wants to keep their new born baby near their families. Arsenal and Spurs soon became the front-runners after it emerged that Cole and Chelsea could not agree terms on a new deal. Arsene Wenger was believed to have won the race by offering Cole a three-year £100,000pw deal, something Tottenham couldn’t compete with, and the deal would be completed upon Cole’s arrival home from the World Cup as long as he could pass a strict medical.
But now it seems one of the most high-profile free transfer sagas in recent years may have taken another twist. England fans will be hoping a decision on Cole’s future is delayed for at least another week, as the national squad prepare for their crunch tie against Slovenia on Wednesday.
However, the speculation contradicts reports earlier this month which suggested Cole would bow to the wishes of his new wife Carly, who wants to stay close to their families in London because of the recent birth of their first child.
More: Manchester United transfer news and rumours
Cole is set to be involved in one of the most high-profile free transfer sagas of recent years after Chelsea revealed they would allow him to leave the club this summer upon the expiration of his contract.
Talks over a new deal between the Blues and Cole’s representatives collapsed over his wage demands, which were said to be close to £120,000-per-week.
It has since emerged that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has agreed to skew the club’s wage structure in a bid to land creative midfielder Cole, who would be offered a three-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.
But Manchester United and Manchester City are both said to be keen to land the England international this summer, after he returns from World Cup duty in South Africa with the national side.
