Irons accept Stoke's Cole bid

The England international slipped out of the Premier League with the Hammers last season and was expected to be among those heading out of the club this summer. He is a proven top-flight performer and there was always going to be plenty of potential suitors willing to offer him a route back to the big time. Stoke have been linked with an approach for much of the transfer window, with Tony Pulis known to be in the market for attacking talent. He has now made his move for Cole, with a formal bid on the table - believed to be an initial £4million with a possible £2million in add-ons. Stoke chairman Peter Coates admits this is not the first occasion Stoke have attempted to sign Cole but is hoping this time a move will come to fruition. "We come from two different places. He has got an injury problem - he has always had that - and that is a risk you take so we have to factor that in," he said. "But he is a good player and Tony has always liked him. Manager's like different players but Tony has always liked him. "I think we've tried to sign him around three times over the past few years without succeeding so maybe we will get somewhere this year." Cole is currently away in Switzerland as part of the Hammers' 26-man squad that travelled to Switzerland on Friday, which Coates admits has delayed a potential deal. "We're still on the case," he added. "The team is still away at the moment. They come back Thursday this week, I think. "Tony likes to be around for these things. "Now we've done a deal with the club it really needs his input with the player because he likes to talk to them and make sure they are on board, and he is on board and everything is ok from his point of view. "But we see that work in progress and hope that something can be done." The former Chelsea striker was reportedly subject of a recent £3million bid from the Potters and could now become the next high-profile departure from the relegated Hammers after fellow frontman Demba Ba joined Newcastle. QPR were also thought to be monitoring Cole's availability but he could now be set for a move to the Britannia Stadium, which may end Pulis' pursuit of Birmingham forward Cameron Jerome.