Real Madrid To Sign Manchester United And Chelsea Target Di Maria

Real Madrid will complete the signing of Benfica winger Angel Di Maria before the World Cup, disappointing both Manchester United and Chelsea, according to Spanish daily AS.

Reports in recent months claimed Chelsea had sent Frank Arnesen on scouting trips to watch Di Maria, whilst Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson viewed him as a possible long-term replacement for Ryan Giggs. However, new Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has reportedly prioritized a move for Di Maria and wants to tie up a deal before the World Cup.

The Argentinian just completed his third season at Benfica and enjoyed another excellent term, scoring nine goals and impressing during the Portugese side's Europa League campaign. He reportedly has a buyout clause of 40 million euros, but AS claims that Di Maria will move to Real Madrid for a fee of 35 million euros.

Di Maria's agent is Jorge Mendes, who has very good relations with Real Madrid and negotiated the world-record deal which took Cristiano Ronaldo to the Bernabeu last summer from Manchester United.

With Franck Ribery having committed his future to Bayern Munich, should Di Maria end up at the Bernabeu, it would leave both Manchester United and Chelsea scratching their heads in the search for additional left-sided options.

Di Maria has eight international caps and is set to star at the World Cup for Diego Maradona's Argentina side.

Juventus & Atletico Madrid Chiefs In Talks Over Chelsea Target Sergio Aguero

Juventus and Atletico Madrid transfer chiefs are holding talks in Turin over the futures of Sergio Aguero and Tiago, according to Tuttosport.

Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici are discussing the possibility of signing Aguero with Garcia Pitarch, the Atleti sporting director.

Talks centre around the Spanish side's hopes of signing Tiago on a permanent deal. He has convinced coach Quique Sanchez Flores to keep him, and the clubs are set to agree on a transfer fee that will take the midfielder to Spain permanently.

Juventus will use that window to lay down plans for Aguero. It's no secret new manager Luigi Del Neri has asked for reinforcements at the Italian club and the Argentinian, who turns 22 today, is admired by club chief Andrea Agnelli.

However, he has a €50 million (£41m) release clause in his deal - a figure Juve cannot meet. Marotta is now thinking about clearing that obstacle by offering Tiago, Diego and €20m in cash for the hitman.

Aguero has reportedly been a long term target of Premier League champions Chelsea, who are expected to move for a striker in the summer. Manchester City have also been touted as a possible destination for the young striker.

Ghana's Michael Essien 'Cursed By Father' Out Of World Cup 2010

Ghana and Chelsea star Michael Essien can blame the crushing of his World Cup dream on a jinx by his estranged father, according to South African Independent Online.

The Black Stars’ captain was ruled out of this summer's tournament after failing to recover from a knee injury picked up in January.

According to reports in Africa the reason for the midfielder’s long-term injury is that of a bad luck curse, known as a juju, issued by his estranged father.

James Essien, who resides in a mud hut in rural Ghana, is currently very ill from a self-imposed hunger strike after hearing the news of his son's inability to play for his national side in South Africa.

Essien has apparently made many attempts to contact his son, who he hasn’t spoken to in 15 years, without receiving a reply.

Ghana's first match of the World Cup is against Serbia on June 13.

Clean Sheet For Ivanovic

Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic played 90 minutes in Serbia's disappointing 0-0 draw with Poland on Wednesday night.

The defender returned to the side after sitting out the weekend's defeat to New Zealand, and will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet, though the team's poor form continues.

Ivanovic played at right-back, the position he has become accustomed to both at club and international level, but was not partnered on the night by Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic.

The Serbs had the better of the game, but again proved impotent in front of goal, Birmingham City's new signing Nikola Zigic having little sight of goal, while Arsenal's Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski was on hand to prevent Danko Lazovic.

The Serbs have one more game to prepare for the World Cup, against Cameroon on Saturday, before they start their campaign against Ghana on June 13.

Summary Of A Season: Yury Zhirkov

The Russian arrived from CSKA Moscow in the summer with a reputation as a pacy winger capable of beating players that could also fill in at left-back.

Injury to Ashley Cole meant we certainly saw the latter, but the form of others, largely Florent Malouda, meant the 26-year-old's attacking prowess only came to the fore in flashes.

Fitness problems of his own prevented Zhirkov from a competitive Chelsea debut until late September, a troublesome knee meaning all Blues fans had seen of him to that point was an impressive bow against AC Milan in Baltimore, in which he scored the winner from a tucked-in midfield position.

The player himself admitted the two months that followed were a struggle as he adapted to a new country and a new club without the day-to-day involvement that full training allows.

Speaking just before Christmas, by which time he had still only played a handful of matches, Yury announced he had not 'done anything special so far' but chances would come in 2010.

He impressed against Watford and Sunderland, creating goals in each, and figured regularly during a January where we were missing key players at the African Cup of Nations.

Then came Cole's injury in early February, a fractured ankle that would keep him out two months. Such luck then that just two games into his spell at left-back, Zhirkov suffered injury of his own - a knock on the calf against Wolves resulting in him missing our Champions League first leg against Inter.

Back for the second leg, he found himself marginalized by the excellent Maicon and too often sucked inside on the defensive. If that night was a low in the season, then his highlight was undoubtedly against Aston Villa 11 days later.

Given free rein to attack, he galloped forward time and again, twice beating his man inside the area before being brought down for penalties, and then supplying the pinpoint cross for Malouda to volley home the goal of the game.

Cole's return to fitness in late April meant Yury featured less in the run-in, but with a season of adaptation under his belt, and a more comfortable grasp of the language, expect him to be a key player in 2010/11, when he will be hoping to up his goals return to something like the levels he achieved in Russia.

Harry - Cole Deal Already Done

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp believes Joe Cole has already decided to leave Chelsea and found a new club.

The 28-year-old, who has been named in England's 23-man World Cup squad, is out of contract at Stamford Bridge this summer so is available on a free transfer.

The attacking midfielder has been linked with a number of clubs, notably Spurs, Manchester United and Arsenal.

But Redknapp, who gave Cole his senior debut as a 17-year-old at West Ham, reckons not only that Spurs are already out of the running but a deal has already been done.

"It looks to me someone's going to make a great free transfer, if he doesn't stay at Chelsea," he said.

"I genuinely don't know who that is. I don't think it's going to be Tottenham.

"I've got a feeling, I may be wrong, that he's already agreed a deal with someone, and it's not Tottenham.

"I'm not saying if he hadn't agreed a deal with someone and he was available and didn't stay at Chelsea that we wouldn't be interested.

"I'm a big fan of Joe's, but the feedback we've had is that he might well have already done something."

Cole came back from a major knee injury at the start of last season and upon on his return he struggled to hold down a regular starting role for Chelsea.

He did enough to be named in Fabio Capello's provisional World Cup squad, though, and booked a ticket to South Africa after impressing as a half-time substitute in Sunday's warm-up win over Japan - his 54th international appearance and first since September 2008.

Cech Rejects Real Link

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech has dismissed reports he could be reunited with his former manager Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid.

Since Mourinho was confirmed as Real's new coach he has been linked with moves to sign several of his former Stamford Bridge charges.

The likes of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole have been mooted as targets for Mourinho, while Cech has also been put forward as an option for the Portuguese.

However, Cech has moved quickly to dispel any notion that he could leave Chelsea for Real, particularly with Iker Casillas the undisputed No.1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"It is common to say 'never say never', and it always happens that, if such a coach is appointed at such a big club, plenty of potential targets appear in the press," Cech told CTK.

"At the moment it is just at the level of big rumours and I don't think it is necessary to comment on them at all.

"Speculation will always be there, but I don't see it (a transfer) as being realistic.

"The goalkeeper's position is the last area Real have to improve and that makes it the end of the story for me."

Cech, who joined Chelsea in 2004, the same year Mourinho was appointed as manager, is hoping the club can win the UEFA Champions League next season following this term's Double triumph.

The Czech Republic ace added: "I am happy there. The only major trophy that is left for Chelsea to win is the Champions League.

"And, in my opinion, at the moment we have a team strong enough to win the competition.

"As for my ambitions, I am satisfied and that is why I don't intend to leave for anywhere."

Galatasaray Close In On £2.5m Move For Miroslav Stoch

Chelsea winger Miroslav Stoch could be set for a move to Turkey after Galatasaray made a £2.5 million bid for him, according to a report from The Daily Mirror.

The winger has returned to Stamford Bridge after a season on loan with Twente Enschede, where he helped Steve McClaren's side to the Dutch title.

The left-sided starlet will also be a part of Slovakia's squad at this summer's World Cup finals.

The Mirror reports that the player will discuss personal terms with Gala once this summer's tournament in South Africa is over.

Joe Cole 'To Join Arsenal On Free Transfer After Signing Three-Year Deal'

Joe Cole could be on the verge of making a shock move from Chelsea to Arsenal on a free transfer after rumours emerged today he has signed a three-year contract at the Emirates Stadium.

According to reports, Cole's representatives met up with Arsenal officials yesterday to thrash out the terms of the deal while the midfield playmaker was being called up to England's World Cup squad by Fabio Capello.

Barring any complications in the process the transfer is expected to be finalised next week, with a view to announcing the move before the tournament in South Africa begins in ten days' time.

The rumours follow hot on the heels of comments by Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp earlier today, when he admitted he believes Cole has agreed in principle to a move to another Premier League.

'It looks to me that someone's going to make a great free transfer,' Redknapp is quoted as saying.

'I genuinely don't know who that is, but I don't think it's going to be Tottenham.

'I've got a feeling - and I may be wrong - that he's already agreed a deal with someone.

'I'm a big fan of Joe's, and I would be interested if he didn't stay at Chelsea, but the feedback we've had is that he might well have already done something.'

If true, the news would be a huge boost for Arsenal fans still reeling from the revelation that captain Cesc Fabregas could be leaving the club to join boyhood team Barcelona this summer.

Cole's signing also fits in with the Arsene Wenger transfer philosophy in that the England international would represent a shrewd bit of business.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at Chelsea and would be available on a free transfer.

And while his wage demands may have presented a stumbling block - given the Blues are reluctant to meet his expectations - Wenger is said to be more willing to offer larger contracts to players in a bid to build a title-winning team.

Former West Ham United star Cole is also believed to be keen to stay in London, as partner Carly Zucker has recently given birth to a son and is reluctant to relocate.

Chelsea's Anelka Crashes On Mountain Bike Ride

Nicolas Anelka survived a scare when he crashed during a mountain bike ride at France's World Cup training camp on the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion on Tuesday.

Anelka, who has started up front in the two warm-up games France have played so far, escaped unhurt after losing his balance on a slippery road and falling at the end of a 50-minute ride on the spectacular volcanic island.

In an effort to make his team bond, France coach Raymond Domenech has organised all sorts of group activities since the start of their preparations, including a hike up a glacier in the French Alps and a dune buggy race.

The coach's latest idea was a bike ride on Reunion, where the players landed on Tuesday from Tunisia.

Under ominous skies and a slight drizzle, the players rode up a steep, narrow road and down again, with Franck Ribery the fastest and Djibril Cisse the slowest.

Some 100 fans stood in the rain at the ride's starting point and cheered on the players, who waved and smiled but did not stop to sign autographs or talk to the media.

All the players participated except number two goalkeeper Steve Mandanda, who stayed at the hotel but had "nothing serious", according to a team spokesman.

After the ride, the team returned to their luxury hotel, overlooking a beach just outside St Pierre, the island's second largest city.

A more traditional training session is scheduled for Wednesday on Reunion, where France will play China on Friday in their last match before the June 11-July 11 finals in South Africa.

The former world and European champions have switched to a new 4-3-3 formation and Domenech has left forward Thierry Henry out of his starting line-up for their first two warm-up games, a 2-1 win over Costa Rica and a 1-1 draw in Tunisia.

France, whose popularity has reached a depressing low after their Euro 2008 flop and the uninspired performances that have followed, will face hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay in Group A.

Uli Hoeness Advises Michael Ballack To Retire From International Football

Experienced midfielder Michael Ballack missed out on Germany's World Cup squad due to a serious ankle injury and Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness has now advised the Chelsea star to consider retiring from international football.

"As a friend, I would recommend Michael to concentrate solely on his club in the future. This could be a good moment for him to retire from international football," said Hoeness to Bild.

"I don't think it would be clever to set the European Championships in 2012 as a goal. Even if it is bitter, you have got to be able to realize when the time has come to say enough is enough."

The 33-year-old Ballack made his debut for the Nationalelf in April 1999 against Scotland and has since racked up almost 100 international appearances for Germany.

Branislav Ivanovic: Every Game At World Cup 2010 Is A 'Final' For Serbia

Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic has indicated that Serbia do not want to let themselves or their country down at the World Cup this summer, and will be treating every game like it was the final.

The Serbs are in a tough group with Germany, Australian and Ghana, but topped a qualifying group that included France as they sealed a place at the finals.

Many have tipped them as a potential surprise package, and Ivanovic maintains that they will be not lacking when it comes to a positive attitude.

"We qualified in first position ahead of France, which was very good for us," the versatile stopper told his club's official website.

"We did a lot of good things and we have to continue to play like we did in the qualifiers.

"But of course, the World Cup is completely different to the qualifiers. If you make a mistake, it is very difficult.

"Every game is like a final in the World Cup and we have to remember this when we play."

This is Serbia's first World Cup as a nation in their own right, and Ivanovic is well aware of the special significance of the campaign for players and fans.

"It is our first one as Serbia, and my first one. It is a pleasure and it makes me proud to play in a World Cup, as it is for any player," he said.

"It is a special thing to play for your country and to represent them in a World Cup is the dream of every player. Every one of us is happy with this."

Summary Of A Season: Daniel Sturridge

After his contract at Manchester City expired, the 20-year-old forward chose Chelsea and the Champions League as the place to develop his talents further.

We already knew what he could do having seen him score against us in the FA Youth Cup two seasons ago, and it was in the senior version of the competition that he really began to make his mark at Stamford Bridge, netting four times in three games against Watford, Preston North End and Cardiff City after the turn of the year.

Signed as one for the future, Daniel’s ambition shone through immediately and he scored on his Chelsea debut in a friendly against Seattle, turning sharply and slotting home. He was rewarded with a call-up to England Under-21s in August, making his debut against Holland.

When the real business got going though he had to be patient, waiting until October for a first Chelsea start, and then missing two big chances to get off the mark against Bolton in the Carling Cup.

Confidence remained high though, and his introduction against Fulham just after Christmas instigated a vital comeback. Then in the absence of Didier Drogba, January saw him begin to find the net as Carlo Ancelotti predicted he would, with the three Championship sides dispatched on the way to the last eight of the Cup.

A first Premier League goal arrived in April when Stoke were put to the sword, and a winners' medal after appearing 13 times will have spurred him on for more success next season. The manager has already discussed giving youth a chance, so expect Sturridge to feature more regularly.

Jose Mourinho Keen On A Chelsea Spree

Jose Mourinho was unveiled as Real Madrid boss on Monday – and refused to rule out a raid on Chelsea for Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard.

‘The Special One’ quit Inter Milan to sign a four-year contract at the Bernabeu and wants to make at least three new signings.

He has always wanted to be reunited with Lampard since their days together at Chelsea and now has the spending power to make a serious bid.

Cole’s future at Stamford Bridge is also in doubt after wife Cheryl filed for divorce. He is another player Mourinho admires.

The new Real boss did his best to play down talk of a swoop yesterday but could not resist throwing the names of both men into the mix.

Mourinho said: “It’s normal people ask about players such as Ashley Cole or Frank Lampard. They are former players of mine and I always have good relations with them.

“But I don’t like to talk about players because their prices will go up if I do! We need three or four players to give us flexibility in the way we might play, but I predict a quiet summer.

“We need small adjustments. We have clear profiles of the type of players we need and these are more important than names.”

Mourinho claims he wants to win everything with Real, and insists his first job will be to tame former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Portugal winger was Madrid’s best player last season, but Mourinho warned him he will have to get to grips with a new team ethic from now on.

Mourinho said: “I understand that Ronaldo is an important player for Real and for the world of football, but my players must understand that the most important thing is the club.

“Cristiano likes to win, so if he likes to win it is not difficult to persuade him the most important thing is not the coach or the players but the club.

“If we all work as a group, we will get results. I like to give myself a challenge and this is a big one. I have a lot of confidence in myself and my ability as a coach.

“I want this group to have an identity, to win everything.”

Mourinho won back-to-back titles and the Champions League with Inter, who got nearly £7m compensation from Real for him.

He added: “I don’t change my level of ambition or motivation. I gave everything to every club where I have been. I will do the same here. I don’t feel any kind of different pressure.

“I am a coach that improves day by day. I arrive with everything a coach can win at club football.”

“I don’t know if I was born to coach Real Madrid, but I was born to be a football coach. I am Jose Mourinho and I don’t change.

“I arrive with all my qualities and defects.

“My attraction to Real is due to its history, its frustrations in recent years and its expectations to win.

“It’s a unique club and I believe that not to coach Real leaves a void in a coach’s career.

“Luckily, I’ve had a beautiful career and it makes me proud to have come here.”

Ashley Cole: England Are Good Enough To Win The World Cup

Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole believes that England are capable of winning the World Cup this summer in South Africa.

The 29-year-old and the rest of the Three Lions final World Cup squad will fly to Johannesburg on Tuesday and Cole is adamant that the team’s sole ambition in South Africa is to win the tournament and be crowned world champions for the second time.

"I think we can win it and that's what we're going there to do,” Cole told The Mirror.

"I'm not going to say we ARE going to win the World Cup but I am willing to say we're good enough to win it.

"If you look at players like Stevie G, Lamps, Rio and Rooney, we have some great players in that team.

"And so, if we all play well on the day and have a bit of luck, you never know."

Despite shaky victories in warm-up matches against Mexico and Japan, England is confident that they will be playing their best when they open their World Cup against the United States in Rustenburg on June 12.

In addition to USA, England are matched with Slovenia and Algeria in Group C, leaving the Three Lions as the heavy favourites to win the group.

With a possible quarter-final match-up against France, who struggled to a 1-1 draw against Tunisia on Sunday, Cole acknowledged that England gained a favourable draw, avoiding some of the top teams in the early stages.

"When the draw was made, I think there were a few teams we'd have liked to have missed - and we managed to miss them.

"What's important is that we're not over-confident and I don't think we are going to be going into the competition.

"But we feel that if we play as well as we can, to our capabilities, I don't think we'll have a problem at all."

The Chelsea star has been a mainstay for England at the last two World Cups and could break Bobby Moore and Terry Butcher’s record for finals appearances for a Three Lions defender if he appears in five games in South Africa.

Terry: Defensive Improvement Needed

John Terry believes tightening up a suspect defence is the key to England's World Cup hopes.

England have conceded set-piece goals to both Mexico and Japan during recent warm-up victories ahead of the tournament in South Africa.

Coach Fabio Capello has rotated his defenders during the two games with Terry, skipper Rio Ferdinand, Jamie Carragher, Ledley King, Ashley Cole, Leighton Baines and Glen Johnson all seeing game time.

That has led to a lack of stability which former captain Terry believes will be vital if England are to succeed in South Africa.

"The manager had stressed in the week that with the pace we have, the quality we have going forward, we're always going to create chances and score goals," said the Chelsea captain.

"It's up to us to keep it tight at the back. The goal we conceded against Mexico, and a couple of set-plays, are things we'll have to work on.

"But if we can keep it tight at the back, then we've got enough quality going forward which means we can always get a goal."

Terry and Ferdinand are set to start the tournament as Capello's first-choice central defensive partnership, with Cole and Johnson operating as attacking full-backs.

"It's been a while since we've played together as a back four," added Terry.

"Obviously I know Ashley and also Johnson from his Chelsea days, but myself and Rio have got a good understanding so when we slot in alongside each other, we know each other's game well enough."

Fabio Capello To Persist With Steven Gerrard And Frank Lampard Pairing

Fabio Capello is well aware the trouble past England managers have had trying to get Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard playing in tandem – but it will not stop him starting them in the centre of midfield for the World Cup opener against the USA.

The conundrum of how to get the best from England’s finest two attacking midfielders proved beyond Sven-Goran Eriksson and Steve McClaren.

Capello discovered the answer, shifting the Liverpool captain to a role on the left which allowed him to drift in.

Yet he looks set to turn the clock back because of the ankle injury to Gareth Barry, a certain starter in the centre of midfield if fit.

‘I know the history,’ said Capello. ‘This is a big question for you always? Can’t play together? Probably both were too young. That was a joke. I hope that they can play together.’

Capello was impressed when the pair played together in the second half of Sunday’s 2-1 friendly win against Japan and the Italian added: ‘Good players can move positions.

'Frank and Steve are used to going forward because they have a holding player alongside them. If they play together, one will have to stay.’

Captain Rio Ferdinand also believes the pair can play alongside each other.

He said: ‘They both did it against Japan. It worked well and we looked very dangerous.’

Capello will receive the latest medical bulletin on Barry this morning.

He expects to be told the Manchester City man will be fit to train immediately after the USA game, meaning he will make his 23-man squad.

Deco Heading Out On A High

Deco is hoping his last World Cup will be one to remember for his adopted nation of Portugal, even if it means defeating his country of birth on the way.

The 32-year-old was born and bred in Brazil before switching to Portugal and Benfica in 1997, eventually taking up citizenship after impressing at Porto.

The man who picked him for Portugal, Luiz Felipe Scolari, was the same man who had ignored him while Brazil coach, and has since admitted his regret at never picking the diminutive playmaker.

Deco scored on his Portuguese debut in a friendly against the Brazilians, and now prepares to face them in a competitive environment for the first time, having been drawn together in Group G alongside Ivory Coast and North Korea.

'It is not hard to play against Brazil, but it is different,' the midfielder told the Official Chelsea Website. 'Of course they are my home country and it is special. This is the first time I have played them in the World Cup, but I have played before in friendlies.

'Most of my family are pushing for me, they are in Brazil, they live in Brazil, but they are pushing for me. But of course Brazil will be favourites against us.

'A country that has won the World Cup five times will always be the favourite.'

But what of his own side's chances in South Africa?

'We have a strong team with great players,' he explained, before commenting on the importance of one Cristiano Ronaldo to the side's chances. 'We have a player who is one of the best in the world, if not the very best. In relation to World Cup 2006 this team has more quality.'

Then, Portugal finished fourth after semi-final defeat to France, but is he sure this tournament will be his final international involvement, with qualifying for Euro 2012 only just around the corner?

'Yes it is my last tournament, definitely,' he smiled. 'It is because I need to have more time for my family. For me it will be the last World Cup and I hope to be remembered positively.

'I feel a certain nostalgia, I spent great years so far, made great friends, I was really well received. The [international] selection was where I felt at home, that encouraged me a lot. [After] almost eight years, I am very happy.'

Rooney Key To Manchester United's Bid For Joe Cole

Today's Manchester Evening News speculates that not only is Manchester United chasing Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole, but that a World Cup link up with Wayne Rooney could be critical in securing a move to Old Trafford.

Cole is out of contract at Chelsea and has yet to agree a new deal, with the Stamford Bridge club reluctant to meet his wage demands. The 28-year-old has also found it difficult to hold down a regular first-team place in Carlo Ancelotti's side.

Cole is set to become a free agent and although it appears that Harry Redknapp is the favourite to sign the midfielder for Tottenham, the Manchester Evening News claims that Sir Alex Ferguson is "desperate" to bring him to Manchester United.

Apparently, Ferguson is particularly keen on utilizing Cole's versatility. He is able to play in central midfield, out wide, or just off a striker as he did yesterday with Wayne Rooney during England's 2-1 friendly win over Japan.

The Manchester Evening News speculates that should Cole and Manchester United striker Rooney form a good understanding during the World Cup, it will significantly boost the chances of Cole's arrival at Old Trafford.

The local newspaper also claims that Ferguson's unrivaled track record of winning trophies at Manchester United will be an advantage to attract Cole ahead of the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham.

Arsenal & Tottenham Hotspur Now Lead Race To Sign Chelsea Forward Joe Cole

Joe Cole is now wanted by Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur when his Chelsea contract expires in a few days' time, with interest from Manchester United having cooled, according to a report from The Daily Mail.

The playmaker, expected to be named in Fabio Capello's final 23-man party for the World Cup later on Tuesday, has been linked with a clutch of England's top clubs this summer.

Chelsea are currently reportedly pursuing Liverpool's Yossi Benayoun, a player whose arrival would cast serious doubts over Cole's future at Stamford Bridge.

With no further overtures from the Blues regarding a new deal, it now appears that a move across London is on the cards for Cole, with the north of the capital looking his likely destination.