Liverpool step-up pursuit of England ace

Liverpool are reportedly set to make an audacious £6 million bid for West Ham striker Carlton Cole.

The Reds are understood to be searching for another striker as Roy Hodgson looks to add more firepower to his depleted frontline.

Hodgson has been linked with a move for Cole for the majority of the summer, and the Daily Mirror now reports that the Merseysiders will tempt the Hammers to part with the England centre-forward by offering £6 million up front.

The Anfield club are supposedly willing to pay another £6 million in add-ons in order to protect themselves due to concerns over the injury-hit past of the ex-Chelsea marksman.

The Daily Mirror suggests that the east Londoners have already turned town bigger offers from Stoke, but may reluctantly let Cole leave Upton Park before the end of the transfer window in order to bring in some cash for new recruits.

However, just last week, the 26-year-old revealed his desire to stay with West Ham.

"Obviously there's a lot of transfer rumours with people moving here and there, but I see myself at West Ham and I'm focused on West Ham and that's all that needs to be said," he told Sky Sports.

"I'm happy where I am. It's going to take a lot for me to move and as long as I'm wanted here I can see my future here.

"I have got nowhere I'd rather be than West Ham at the moment because West Ham gave me my chance and I want to correct last season."

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