No go Carlton and other transfer rumours

Manchester United and Liverpool's bid to sign West Ham striker Carlton Cole in January hit a snag on Tuesday after Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola insisted the club will not be forced to sell the England star. But as everyone in football knows, money talks, and with West Ham in financial trouble, the £20m being waved under their noses by United and Liverpool may just force Zola’s hand. Elsewhere, Chelsea have pulled out of the race to sign Angel Di Maria after balking at Benfica's £36m price tag, leaving the way free for Manchester City to move for the Argentine winger; Birmingham's £4m bid for Standard Liege striker Milan Jovanovic has collapsed, leaving Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton to battle it out for his signature; and Sunderland manager Steve Bruce is willing to listen to offers for defender Anton Ferdinand with Spurs believed to be preparing a £6m bid.