Liverpool lead chase to land Cole as suitors circle

Liverpool FC are leading the race to sign Chelsea star Joe Cole after talks between the England star and the West London club broke down.

Cole has admitted that talks between himself and Chelsea have stalled, and now Liverpool are being tipped as the favourites to land the playmaker, with Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur the other Premier League clubs in the running for the former West Ham United youngster.

Cole, who moved to Chelsea in 2003 from West Ham United for a fee believed to be in the region of £6.6 million, is struggling to get first team opportunities since returning from injury under Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti with the classy playmaker now expected to leave the Stamford Bridge club.

According to SKYBET Liverpool are now the favourites to land the player after their odds were slashed to 8/1, while Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, Roberto Mancini's Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur are all at 10/1 to land the 28 year-old midfielder.

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