Cole eyed by Hodgson

West Ham look set to sell Carlton Cole this summer, with Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson at the front of the queue to pick up the striker in a £12million transfer.

New Hammers manager Avram Grant is keen to overhaul the squad he has inherited from Gianfranco Zola.

However, with very little money to be made available by cash-strapped owners David Gold and David Sullivan, Grant has been told he must buy as well as sell.

One of West Ham's most saleable assets is England international Cole - who enjoyed a good season in 2009-10, even if it was blighted by injury over the Christmas period.

And Reds boss Hodgson is keen to shake up his forward ranks, having hinted to current back-up striker David Ngog he can leave the club.

Hodgson, who is said to have a significant transfer pot available, is rumoured to be keen on playing a more traditional 4-4-2 system at Anfield next season to take some of the pressure off star striker Fernando Torres.

However, Cole would also be a good fit in the existing Liverpool formation with one up front and would expect to start whenever the Spanish international is not fit.

Despite being linked with Bobby Zamora earlier this month, it looks increasingly unlikely Hodgson will move on the Fulham man after pledging to Cottagers owner Mohammed Al Fayed that he will not raid his former club.

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