Friday 29 August 2014 20:48, UK
Sam Allardyce is pleased to have seen interest in Carlton Cole come to nothing, freeing him to remain at West Ham United.
The experienced frontman was reported to have been the subject of a bid from Sky Bet Championship side Bournemouth.
No deal was agreed, though, and Cole remains at Upton Park.
Allardyce is now expecting the 30-year-old to stay put, with the summer transfer window set to close at 11pm on Monday.
He said: “Carlton is not going out. I thought the prospect was there, but it wasn’t.
“I didn’t particularly want him to go, but there is a price for everybody and if there is an offer that everyone considers to be the right one, then the business is done, but he is still here I am glad to say.”
Allardyce has also revealed that he intends to keep combative midfielder Mohamed Diame in east London, adding: “I expect both of them to be here next week and beyond.”
The West Ham boss claims he would be happy to see the deadline pass with no more business done, with his squad in good shape.
He said: “I think all the managers have the TV on for the countdown to the end of the window, but what I am hoping is that I am just sat there watching because all my business is done.
“I don’t want to be the one of the phone at the last minute trying to make a signing, or the one losing a player I don’t want to lose, because at that stage there is no time to find a replacement.”