Stoke City ready to sign Carlton Cole from West Ham

Posted on July 14, 2011 by SoccerPunter

English Premier League side Stoke City have agreed a fee with relegated West Ham for striker Carlton Cole it was announced Tuesday.

England forward Cole, 27, is currently in Switzerland with the Hammers for a pre-season training camp but is due to hold talks with Stoke manager Tony Pulis upon his return.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates told Sky Sports: “We have agreed terms with West Ham, that’s done. Now it’s a case of can we agree terms with Carlton?”

Cole joined West Ham from London rivals Chelsea in July 2006 and scored 42 goals in 165 appearances for the Hammers.

But he managed just five league goals last season and is now set to leave Upton Park.

The fee has been reported to be an initial four million pounds with a possible two million pounds in add-ons.

Coates said Stoke had tried to sign Cole on previous occasions but was optimistic that this time the forward would make his way to the Midlands club, who lost in last season’s FA Cup final to Manchester City.

“We come from two different places. He has got an injury problem (Cole has had knee trouble) — he has always had that — and that is a risk you take so we have to factor that in,” he said.

“But he is a good player and Tony has always liked him. Manager’s like different players but Tony has always liked him.

“I think we’ve tried to sign him around three times over the past few years without succeeding so maybe we will get somewhere this year.

“Now we’ve done a deal with the club it really needs his input with the player because he likes to talk to them and make sure they are on board, and he is on board and everything is ok from his point of view.

“But we see that work in progress and hope that something can be done.”