However, yesterday Spurs boss Harry Redknapp, who worked with Cole during his formative years at West Ham, said he thought the midfielder had agreed a transfer to Manchester United, which would be concluded once England's World Cup campaign is over.

Sources close to the Old Trafford outfit have distanced themselves from that speculation today.

There have been rumours a potential transfer could be derailed over wages but a United insider has insisted there was never any contact from the Red Devils, and therefore the issue of wages was never considered.

With United out of the running, Redknapp can now make a move for a player who John Terry, in his remarkable press conference on Sunday, claimed it was incomprehensible Chelsea have released.

The Red Devils have made one signing this summer, Mexico striker Javier Hernandez, who has already make a goalscoring contribution to his country's charge to the knockout phase.

England U-21 defender Chris Smalling is also due to arrive from Fulham at the start of next month and Alex Ferguson previously indicated he did not expect to do that much more business.