West Ham’s Carlton Cole rejects Stoke move after failure to agree personal terms – report

Carlton Cole bags his second against Fulham (Getty Images)

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West Ham striker Carlton Cole has rejected the chance to join Premier League club Stoke City and fails to join them for a fourth time.

The Guardian understands that the striker has turned the chance to join the club in a £4.5 million transfer which would have risen to £6 million with add-ons.

He failed to agree terms with the Potters’ and has left both clubs with a bitter taste in their mouths.

West Ham are desperate to reduce their wage bill as they try to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking following last season’s relegation.

Stoke boss Tony Pulis has already had an offer for Birmingham City striker Cameron Jerome rejected and this latest setback has him wondering who to turn to.

He thought he had finally bought a striker after West Ham had agreed a fee for the 27-year-old – only for the deal to collapse.

Potters’ chairman, Peter Coates, had earlier admitted to missing out the England international three times already – but this latest rejection makes it a fourth time Cole hasn’t signed for the club.