Joe Cole is in the money as he leaves Liverpool for an emotional return to West Ham United.

The Daily Mail says Cole will join West Ham this week after Liverpool agreed to hand the former England midfielder a £3million pay-off.

He had 18 months remaining on his £90,000-a-week Liverpool contract, so the Anfield club have still saved around £4m by paying him off early.

The 31-year-old had a medical on Wednesday night and could play in Saturday's FA Cup tie against Manchester United.