Report: Liverpool Transfer Target Carlton Cole to Be Available in January

West Ham United look like a sure bet to be fighting a relegation battle for the remainder of the season. Even so, manager Avram Grant is reportedly willing to sell one of their most talented players.

Carlton Cole, the physically imposing striker that Roy Hodgson bid on for $14 million (9 million pounds) in August, is set to leave Upton Park after losing favor with Grant. While Cole has appeared 13 times thus far for the Hammers, Grant has recently preferred Frederic Piquionne, according to Daily Mail.

Some have speculated that a knee injury is slowing Cole, but he has rejected that notion. But the fact that Grant is willing to sell him is indicative of his value being lower than others realize.

For Liverpool, Cole’s physicality makes him a good fit to pair with the waifish Fernando Torres up top, but Fernando Llorente and Stefan Kiessling are other similar potential targets who may have more class and upside than the English international.

Cole has just one goal in his 13 appearances thus far in 2010, and the former Chelsea man has scored at a rate of fewer than one goal per four games for his career.