Source: Daily_Mail
Birmingham make a move for West Ham striker Carlton Cole
Birmingham have made an official approach for West Ham striker Carlton Cole.[LNB]Cole, 26, was not included in Fabio Capello's 30-man provisional England World Cup squad following a season ravaged by injuries, in which he scored just 10 goals.[LNB]Hammers co-owner David Sullivan last month revealed that every player at Upton Park - except the club's player of the year Scott Parker - is up for sale and Alex McLeish has responded with an immediate end of season bid for Cole, who is valued at £10million.[LNB] City gent: West Ham striker Carlton Cole is wanted by Birmingham[LNB]With West Ham looking to reduce their mounting debts this summer, high-earner Cole could be the first playing casualty after boss Gianfranco Zola was sacked on Monday.[LNB]The former Chelsea striker enjoyed a complete transformation under the guidance of Zola, scoring 22 goals, having struggled to impose himself under former managers Alan Pardew and Alan Curbishley when he joined the east London club in 2006.[LNB] Open to offers: Hammers co-chairman David Sullivan will listen to bids for all of his players - except for Scott Parker[LNB]But now the Italian boss has left, Cole is expected to follow suit with a host of sides interested in his services.[LNB] One stumbling block in Birmingham's approach, however, could be Blues chairman Carson Yeung's High Court case against former owners Sullivan and David Gold.[LNB]Sullivan, meanwhile, has said he hopes to install Zola's successor in the West Ham managerial hot-seat within three weeks.[LNB] We'll sue you! Zola's bitter exit from West Ham paves the way for GrantHammer hopefuls: the main candidates to replace Gianfranco Zola as West Ham's next bossHart happy to leave Birmingham in safe hands as Foster prepares to joinWEST HAM UNITED FC
