With Ashley Cole set to part company with Chelsea this summer, and Patrice Evra set to join Juventus, could our search for a new left-back take a surprising twist? Since the end of the season, the Red Devils have stepped up their pursuit for a new fullback with some reports claiming we have tabled a huge £27 million bid for Southampton starlet Luke Shaw. However, the club's board may now think twice with Cole set to become a free agent this summer when his contract at Stamford Bridge runs down. Cole wrote on Twitter: "I am weighing up my options for playing next season with my agent."
"Sadly, it does not look like Chelsea will be one of them."
There's no questioning Cole would bring a wealth of experience to our side, having won three Premier League titles, (two with Arsenal, one with Chelsea) as well as the Champions and Europa League. His arrival at Old Trafford would also raise the tantalising prospect of the former England international linking up again with Juan Mata, who we lured from west London back in January. Another tick in the 'yes' column would be that he's free - with Chelsea showing no signs of offering him a new deal, he would be available to join on a Bosman. However, there are complications. Cole has played for two of our biggest rivals in the past - Arsenal, where he began his career as a youth, and latterly Chelsea. Would the fans take to him? Indeed, would Cole himself be willing to play for us after spending eight long years at Chelsea? There's also the issue of his age. Cole will be 34 this December, and with Nemanja Vidic (32), Patrice Evra (33) and Rio Ferdinand (35) being moved on, there are indications the club is going in a younger direction, I.e Shaw. But then, the overriding feeling is, 'what is there to lose'? We wouldn't be shelling out a huge transfer fee, Cole would have few grand expectations regarding playing time given his age, and we'd be signing an experienced defender with 107 international caps to his name. All for absolutely nothing.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
