Man United on Cole alert

Tuesday, 12/01/2010

Sir Alex Ferguson could make a move for England forward Joe Cole if Chelsea fail to offer him a new contract.

Cole is out of contract this summer and is now able to agree a pre-contract deal with any club. That would allow him to move on a free and command a massive pay rise.

The former West Ham midfielder, who was out injured for a long period last year, has failed to recapture his best form since his return to the Blues side. Last week Stamford Bridge boss Carlo Ancelotti went public saying that the player had to improve and regain his confidence.

Chelsea will be keen to keep one of England's most naturally gifted players and Cole himself has always insisted that he would be happy to sign a new agreement that would keep him at the Bridge for the rest of his career.

But he is also fully aware that Chelsea coped without him for most of last term, have a big squad that could always be boosted at any time, and that he must be playing regularly and hit top form to make England's World Cup squad when it is named in May.

Fergie capturing Cole for nothing would be similar to the swoop he made when former England striker Michael Owen joined United after falling out of contract at Newcastle last summer.

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