City to top Cole bids claim

Man City are reported to be putting together a contract offer for Chelsea's Joe Cole who looks set to be a free agent in the summer.

The former West Ham star is thought to be unhappy at the Blues' alleged offer of only a 12-month extension at £36,000 a week - a 40 per cent reduction on his current terms and nowhere near the likes of Chelsea's top earners - Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and John Terry who all trouser in excess of £100,000-a-week.
Cole's agent is understood to be testing the potential market for his client of he is available on a free transfer and City are ready to beat neighbours Man Utd with a package worth £80,000-a-week.
Tottenham are also interested but Cole is apparently keen to play Champions League football and relocate to the north west with wife Carly Zucker - who is expecting the couple's first child in the next few weeks.

Second city scramble for Palace kid

Birmingham and Aston Villa are interested in Crystal Palace full-back Nathaniel Clyne - who could be on the move this summer.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has been impressed by Clyne's displays this season and is set to launch a bid with the Palace administrators already having accepted an offer from Wolves in January.
Clyne, 18, has just over a year left on his contract at Selhurst Park and remains a target for Wolves but rejected a move to Mick McCarthy's side after taking advice from his then manager Neil Warnock.
Villa Park boss Martin O'Neill is also thought to be interested after seeing Clyne shut down Ashley Young in a man-to-man marking job when Palace drew 2-2 with Aston Villa in the FA Cup.

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