Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is ready to make an offer for Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole. The Guardian says Redknapp is exploring the possibility of bringing Cole to Tottenham Hotspur, the manager hoping to convince the Chelsea midfielder to make the move to further his England hopes in a World Cup year.

Cole has less than 12 months to run on his contract at Stamford Bridge and although the club are keen to prolong the agreement and the player, a boyhood Chelsea fan, is not agitating for a move, other clubs, chief among them Spurs, have scented an opportunity.

Redknapp is a confirmed admirer of Cole - not only the talent but also his professionalism and work ethic - having given the 27-year-old his professional debut as a callow teenager at West Ham United.