Cole to move to West Ham in permanent deal

Joe Cole celebrates his first goal for Liverpool since April 2011 (Getty Images)

Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole is set to join former club West Ham United on a permanent deal. The 31-year-old is thought to have travelled to London for a medical after Liverpool agreed a deal.

Cole, who moved to Anfield on a free transfer from Chelsea in the summer of 2010, will be released without a fee being paid to Liverpool and the club may also pay him a negotiated settlement in order to get his £100,000-a-week salary off the wage bill.

Premier League rules mean West Ham cannot sign Cole on loan as they already have Liverpool's Andy Carroll on a temporary deal.