LFC consider move for Carlton Cole

Liverpool have made enquiries to sign West Ham's Carlton Cole, but have been put off by a valuation in excess of £10 million.

West Ham centre-forward Cole has rejected a move to Stoke City, but he would be open to the possibility of moving to Anfield this summer.

Soccernet understands Tony Pulis was prepared to blow his entire Stoke budget on signing the striker, who on Saturday was named in Fabio Capello's latest England squad, only to be rejected.

However, if a big club came in with a bid that equalled or topped Stoke's, then the Hammers could well sell their star striker. An insider told Soccernet: "Carlton would like a move to Liverpool, but they are short on funds as everyone knows."

West Ham have brought five new players to the club already this summer and are now in the process of reviewing potential sales.

Stoke's offer for Cole would have brought them close to the £12 million valuation West Ham have now placed on Cole, though at the start of the summer they thought he might even fetch £15 million.

This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club.