Birmingham City Plotting Stunning Swoop for Ex-Arsenal & Chelsea Ace Ashley Cole
Ex-Chelsea and Arsenal star Ashley Cole has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Birmingham City, according to Reports.
Brum boss Harry Redknapp is mulling over whether to make a move for the veteran full-back, who is currently plying his trade with LA Galaxy in America's MLS.
Redknapp is keen to add experienced heads to his first-team squad at St.Andrew's as he eyes a promotion push to the Premier League next term, and the 70-year-old is believed to have informed Birmingham's board of his desire to land Cole.
However, the Championship outfit would likely struggle to prise the 36-year-old away from his current club. Cole is said to be enjoying life out in California, and his sizeable wage packet stateside would have to be reduced significantly if he was to head to the Midlands this summer.
Cole has spoken of making an English top flight return in the past but, crucially, he has explained that heading back to the UK would only occur if he could become part of the backroom team at Chelsea.
Redknapp, though, is not ruling out a sensational swoop for the former England international and hopes that his club's board would back him in any negotiations to prise Cole away from LA Galaxy.
BRISTOL, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Harry Redknapp, Manager of Birmingham City celebrates after his side avoid relegation after the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Birmingham City at Ashton Gate on May 7, 2017 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Michael Steele/GettyImages
The former Spurs and West Ham manager currently has two options available to him at left-back - 29-year-old Jonathan Grounds and Mali international Cheick Keita - but Cole's arrival would be a massive improvement on either of those individuals.
Left full-back Cole is currently contracted to Galaxy until December 2017 - one month after this season's MLS ends - and question marks remain about whether he would be handed fresh terms by them in the next six months.
Cole, who made 560 appearances between the Gunners and Blues, has featured 47 times for Galaxy since his switch across the Atlantic 18 months ago, including 15 appearances this season.
