Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp is planning to raid former club West Ham United for Carlton Cole.

The People says Cole, 26, is out until the end of January after sustaining knee ligament damage, but that will not put off the Spurs boss, who has asked chairman Daniel Levy to seal a deal.

The Hammers do not want to lose their star man and have slapped an £11million price-tag on his shoulders.

But they remain in financial turmoil and Tottenham hope to take advantage by striking an agreement closer to £9m. Spurs will try to use defender Alan Hutton as a makeweight in any deal for the player, who would form a fearsome foursome with international teammates Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch, and Robbie Keane.