Premiership: United agree £8m Cole deal

Andy Cole is poised to join Blackburn Rovers after Manchester United confirmed that terms have been agreed with the Ewood Park club.

Andy Cole is poised to join Blackburn Rovers for £8m after Manchester United confirmed that terms have been agreed with the Ewood Park club.

The 30-year-old England striker’s move to the Lancashire club is now dependent on Cole agreeing personal terms.

A United club spokesman said: ‘‘Terms have been agreed with Blackburn, and Andy Cole is talking to them about his personal terms.’’

United disclosed yesterday they had held initial discussions with Rovers after an official approach to sign the player.

And it now appears that Cole’s yearning for first-team football has convinced him a move up the M6 will be beneficial at this stage of his career.

Cole may also feel that with his international future in the balance, a move at this stage of the season will give him a last shot at convincing Sven-Goran Eriksson to pick him for next summer’s World Cup in Japan and South Korea.

Should the deal be completed, Old Trafford favourite Cole will bring the curtain down on six years at United since his £7m departure from Newcastle.

During that time he has enjoyed considerable success including five Premiership winners’ medals, two FA Cup winners’ medals and a Champions League winners’ medal.

The signing will undoubtedly provide a boost to Blackburn, who have suffered from a shortage of goals in the Premiership since their promotion from the Nationwide League Division One last season.

Boss Graeme Souness will be hoping Cole provides a bigger threat up front than his £6.75m summer arrival Corrado Grabbi, who has been a huge disappointment since his move from Ternana.

He said yesterday: ‘‘If we can make it happen then we would love to make it happen - it would be a monster transfer for us.

‘‘The obvious area where we are weak is that we don’t score enough goals, and Andy has got a track record in the Premier League second only to Alan Shearer’s.

‘‘If we could get him here he would be a tremendous asset for us. We do create a lot of chances and we have not been taking anywhere near the percentage of the opportunities that have come our way.’’