LFC in hunt for Cole despite Spurs hint

Liverpool's chances of landing Joe Cole were dealt a potential blow after Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp hinted that a deal for the player may have already been agreed.

Earlier today the attacking midfielder was named in England's 23-man squad that will fly to South Africa tomorrow but question marks remain over his future beyond the summer, with talks over a new Chelsea deal yet to prove conclusive.

A host of the top six Premier League clubs are courting the signature of Cole but Redknapp, who oversaw his development during his time at West Ham United, has hinted that the out-of-contract 28-year-old may have sealed his exit from Stamford Bridge prior to the World Cup.

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

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