Spurs will reportedly launch a £10million bid to for Joe Cole in January's transfer window, according to the Daily Express.

Cole is currently recovering from a knee ligament injury suffered in pre-season and has seen his Blues team-mates go top of the Premiership.

Attacking midfielders John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou were recruited by the champions in the summer, and with the likes of Arjen Robben, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Frank Lampard on the club's books, competition in midfield is fiercer than ever.

Jose Mourinho has never guaranteed any player a regular starting role, preferring to rotate his squad - and Martin Jol is hoping to use this to his advantage in January.

The Spurs chief has still to solve his team's problem on the left side of midfield, with Reto Ziegler, Teemo Tainio and Edgar Davids being given chances but failing to impress in that position.

Cole has made himself first-choice for England on the left of midfield and had a fine World Cup, scoring a stunning goal against Sweden.

So Jol knows a bid in the region of £10million will be needed to get his number-one target.