Stoke City are ready to bid for West Ham United striker Carlton Cole.
The People says Stoke boss Tony Pulis is keen on Cole and chairman Peter Coates will give him £8 million to try and land the powerful hitman.
Cole has looked sharp in pre-season despite nagging knee trouble in recent months, with Stoke weighing up an offer and keen to check on his overall fitness before writing their club record cheque.
Pulis has found it difficult to lure major names to the Potteries in the past year or so and bringing in Cole would be a massive statement.
