Manchester United have checked on the availability of Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole and could be ready to make a shock move for the defender, according to reports in today’s People and Sunday Mirror.
We first reported on United’s possible interest in Cole earlier this month as Sir. Alex Ferguson continues to pursue the idea of bringing in a new left-back to Old Trafford. He has already been priced out of purchasing Everton’s Leighton Baines and attention is now likely to turn to Cole, whose contract at Stamford Bridge expires in just a year’s time.
The 31-year-old defender has yet to begin talks over signing a new contract at Chelsea and if he doesn’t sign an extension he would be able to sign a pre-contract agreement as early as January for a free transfer move to another club next summer. If Cole or Chelsea stall over a new deal, United believe they may be able to snatch the England defender away from London.
As we reported some weeks ago, there are some doubts that current United left-back Patrice Evra may have lost some of his pace. Despite both Evra and Cole being 31, Ferguson reportedly believes Cole is just about as quick as he ever was and is still the best left-back in the league, perhaps even in Europe. He is still a great defender that adds an attacking threat going forward and Ferguson has been a long-time admirer of his.
Ashley Cole has spent six seasons at Chelsea and has made over 250 appearances. He is perhaps one of the modern era’s most successful ever English players not to have played for Manchester United having won the Premier League on 3 occasions, the Champions League, the FA cup 7 times, the League cup and is two appearances away from making 100 appearances for England.
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16 Comments
i think baines is better than ashley cole..
Not too sure bout this Evra same age….. Surely a younger buy is better, still cole ain’t half bad
Never going to happen cole and rio playin in same team
ashley cole ISN’T the best left back in the world… the stats speak for themselves…see evidence below.
http://s492.photobucket.com/albums/rr281/03akkasi/?action=view¤t=leftbackdefensive-1.jpg
besides, cashley is a grade A nob! he ain’t coming OT. RVP would fit the bill perfectly. i’d show Chicharito the door, he was a 1 season wonder. :)
Ashley cole is the best left back in europe. Surley if bains was Any good sir Alex would of signed him for 3million from Wigan and not waited til now?
Matt, I thought we all unanimously agreed that we’d be more likely to see Megan Fox at left back for United than Ashley Cole. Lets not forget “People” Magazine are owned by the Sunday Mirror, that’s why they are both running the same story. Trying to add credibility to something that’s absolute rubbish. Ferguson is known for out of the blue signings but logically Ashley Cole moving to United is a ridiculous concept. He is inconsistent, slower, a cheat in both football and his personal life and would not fit into the team dynamics at United.
Saying hypothetically Alex was remotely interested, surely he’d wait till next year when he could get Ashley for peanuts than pay a huge transfer fee now. I would be very very very surprised if there was any merit to this story what so ever.
Fegie have to be mindfull of the mixed up with the talented ones,after all,who is COLE to praise in such extent
I think man utd should buy fabio coentrao because hes young fast and not that expensive!
”Baines better than A.cole ”so your saying that Wigan has the best left back in the world #Leave it
why cole he is too old pls find young players
Since when does baines play for wigan? He’s been with everon for a while now.
Cole is great and a massive defender and he is best left back in europe . He is more than Bainse becouse he has the history of winnig the trophies, i could say to Alex get a young left back [22-25 years] who play for the club 4-5 season .
He is not a good option. Try for a younger player
I luv de idea
cole is more of attacking minded Left-back bt Baines is just oky whn comes to free-kicks as a specialists, so cole is ok. . .sir sign Him, n’ stop unnecessary Rumours, it Hurts whn we r nt competing in the transfers market wt de lyk’s of chelsea n’ mancity -eskormancunian096.
Ashley who?? Guys did u just say Ashley Cole, 31 as a replacement for Patrice Evra, 31? Is it for better or for worse? Guys i dont even think Baines is good enough for utd. Let SAF find younger and better options than the already old and almost rusty ones.
Another joke man utd transfer story, its all a smokeshield to cover up for the glazers, dont buy into it we are signing nobody, if our recent failures to secure deals is not enough evidence then what is?