Liverpool's Joe Cole Makes Loan Transfer To French Side Lille

By Matt Holmes / August 30, 2011

The story is just breaking from BBC's Dan Roan on twitter that Liverpool's Joe Cole is very close to making a surprise move to French side Lille on loan for the rest of the season. Having been one of the most fought over players in the country last season when he was made surplus to requirements at Chelsea before eventually joining the Anfield club in one of the biggest deals of the summer... now 12 months later and only 1 year into a 4 year contract, he is quietly making the move across the Channel Tunnel to try and resurrect his career.

Though Dan Roan says it was the opportunity to play Champions League football that made up Cole's mind to make a move across borders, instead of staying in the Premier League with QPR who had agreed a deal with Liverpool for the England international midfielder. Roan states;

Joe Cole currently on Eurostar to meet Lille management and agree 1 year loan deal. Champions League football means preferred to QPR

Playing in the French league might affect Cole's England chances as competition for midfield players is at an all time and he hasn't played for the national side since last October. Perhaps it could be a case of out of sight, out of mind.