West Ham United striker Carlton Cole: I was not interested in entertaining offers

West Ham United striker Carlton Cole has reiterated his happiness at the Boleyn Ground despite a month’s worth of speculation during the mid-season transfer window linking the towering forward with a switch to north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur or Arsenal.

He said to Sky Sports: “I wasn’t in the least bit interested in entertaining offers, my only focus was and still is to do the best I can for West Ham for the rest of the season in the situation we are in.

“My only priority is to get back to full fitness and do my best on the pitch.

“There has been speculation about my future, however, I am not one to shirk my responsibility.

“I am looking forward to enjoying a good end to the season by producing some good performances to repay the Upton Park faithful.”

Speculation over the future of manager Gianfranco Zola has also been at the forefront of the back-pages, with the club’s takeover by former Birmingham City owners David Gold and David Sullivan – and their expected wage snips – assumed by some to spell the end of the Italian’s tenure.
“I am behind the manager Gianfranco Zola 110 per cent as he has helped me a lot during his time in charge,” Cole said, pledging his allegiance to the pint-sized boss.

Ex-Manchester City manager Mark Hughes has been linked in some reports with the West Ham position.