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Fulham target
Carlton Cole |
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West Ham United have rejected a bid from Fulham for striker Carlton Cole.
It is understood that the offer fell well short of the £15 million West Ham want for the 26 year-old.
Cole arrived from Chelsea for £1 million in the summer of 2006 and has developed into an England international although he missed out on Fabio Capello's 30-strong provisional World Cup squad.
There has also been talk of interest in him from Arsenal and Aston Villa and according to sources one from abroad have been lodged.
The fact that the identity of the foreign club has not been disclosed suggests it is closest to West Ham's asking price and a deal might still be done.
Cole's difficult season has been blighted by injury but he is still regarded as one of West Ham's prize assets, although passing a medical will not be regarded as a formality given his history of knee problems.
His sale would provide funds for a manager to rebuild the squad. Avram Grant is set to be named in the role after Portsmouth agreed to let him leave without seeking compensation.