• Premier League

Rodgers confirms Cole is in talks with West Ham

ESPN staff
January 2, 2013
Joe Cole could be returning to West Ham © PA Photos
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Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that midfielder Joe Cole is in talks with West Ham about a January return to his boyhood club.

Cole has reportedly been told he can leave Anfield in the transfer window, with QPR initially the favourites to grab the former England international's signature.

But reports on Wednesday indicated Cole had opened talks with former club West Ham - and Rodgers confirmed that to be the case following the Reds' 3-0 win over Sunderland.

"I'm not sure whether a deal has been totally agreed," Rodgers said. "I spoke to Joe a couple of times earlier and he was talking with West Ham.

"Any latest I'm not sure about, but I know there have been talks."

Rodgers indicated that a deal could be finalised before the weekend's FA Cup ties.

He added: "I don't know the ins and outs of it. We'll see what happens in the next 24 hours."

QPR boss Harry Redknapp acknowledged that he was likely to miss out on a player he worked with at Upton Park.

"I think he's going to go back to West Ham," Redknapp said.

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