Arsenal are closing in on a deal for off contract Chelsea midfielder Joe Cole.

The Daily Mail says Cole insists that his focus is solely on the finals as he attempts to secure a place in Fabio Capello's starting XI to face the United States in Rustenburg on Saturday.

But it is understood that Arsenal are leading the chase for Cole, who is regarded as a bargain with his contract over at Chelsea.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger, who is braced to lose his captain Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona this summer, is keen to sign the former West Ham youngster to boost his attacking options.

"I like him as a player because when he played against us he always did a lot of damage against Arsenal," Wenger told Sky Sports News.

"He can create impact through his creative play. He can dribble, he can pass, he can score goals."

Cole, who was pushed out of Chelsea after failing to agree an increase on his £80,000-a-week wages, is understood to have been offered a three-year deal at the Emirates worth around £90,000-a-week.