West Ham to let Cole go

West Ham expect a last minute bid from Liverpool for Carlton Cole after Roy Hodgson's approach for Fulham's Bobby Zamora was dismissed out of hand by Mark Hughes.

Hodgson wanted to raid his old club again having pushed through a deal for one of his old boys Paul Konchesky, but talks are continuing over Cole, with Ryan Babel a potential makeweight in a £12million deal.

A source close to the deal told Soccernet: "The possibility of Zamora going to Liverpool was a non starter, not even worth going there. But Liverpool remain interested in Carlton Cole."

With Sunderland and Stoke willing to pay £9million plus £3 million for add-ons, the Hammers might have to accept a lesser fee as the England centre-forward will only quit east London for a big club such as Liverpool.

The club are also interested in signing a goalkeeper and Roma's Brazilian No.2 Doni is top of their wishlist.

The 30-year-old has been told he can leave Italy with Bogdan Lobonc and Julio Sergio favoured between the posts for the Serie A side and could arrive at Upton Park on loan.

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