Allardyce denies Turkish offers for Reading and Norwich target Cole

By Nick Wright Tuesday, January 29, 2013
12:18 PM

Transfer news: Manager Sam Allardyce insists West Ham have received no formal offers from Turkish clubs for striker Carlton Cole.

Kasimpasa, Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are reportedly interested in the 29-year-old, who has also been linked with Premier League rivals Reading and Norwich.

Cole’s future at West Ham has been thrown into doubt following the arrivals of strikers Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista on loan.

But Allardyce says the player has no interest in moving to Turkey and insists he expects him to remain at West Ham after Thursday’s transfer deadline.

“We haven’t had an offer from Turkey as far as the chairman is concerned,” said Allardyce.

“[The chairman] said there’s been no offer from Turkey and Carlton Cole tells me that he wouldn’t be interested in going there at this moment in time.

“There was no formal bid, there was a rumour. There’s no point in even considering it until the club who want the player actually send you something concrete interns of an email or hard copy saying they’re willing to pay this much money.”

Asked if he expects Cole to stay at the club, Allardyce said: “I do, yes.”