Fight for Cole and other transfer rumours

Manchester United are ready to scupper Liverpool’s attempts to boost their strike force, by outbidding their archrivals for West Ham goal ace Carlton Cole. Earlier this week Liverpool offered £20m for the England international. This alerted Sir Alex Ferguson who promptly put in a bid of £25m for Cole as he thinks his muscular presence will give the Red Devils a new dimension. Elsewhere, Liverpool are keeping a close eye on Arsenal striker Eduardo and are ready to wave a £10m cheque under Arsene Wenger’s nose; Manchester City will make a £20m January bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic; Manchester United want Bayern Munich star Philipp Lahm and will pay £15m for the German international; and Chelsea are lining up the 'New Drogba' – 16-year-old Romelu Lukaku who currently plays for Anderlecht.