Wenger swoop for cole

ARSENE WENGER will launch a £9million bid for West Ham hitman Carlton Cole if Nicklas Bendtner fails a Friday fitness test.

The Arsenal boss admitted: "There is no way we can carry on with only one striker.

"Bendtner is being treated now and will come back on Friday for tests. If he is out for another two months, we will need to buy someone, absolutely."

Dane Bendtner returns to the club for a series of medical tests this week after missing Arsenal's last 14 games with a groin injury.

And with Robin Van Persie unlikely to play again this season, Wenger needs more firepower.

Wenger said: "There is a 50-50 chance we'll sign somebody. Even if Bendtner is OK we will look around and if we find a good bargain we will still do it."

Unlike other potential targets, Cole would be eligible to play in this season's Champions League.

And crisis club West Ham would not stand in the way of his departure for the right price.

But there was bad news for Wenger last night when Atletico Madrid confirmed they have signed a pre-contract deal with Gunners whizkid Fran Merida.

Midfielder Merida, 19, was regarded as the next Fabregas when he was snapped up from Barcelona in 2005.

But he has run out of patience over his lack of first-team opportunities and will move to Atletico when his Arsenal contract expires in the summer. Wenger admitted: "I don't know for certain if he has signed but I fear the worst."

  • West Ham today fight FA charges over the Millwall riot at Upton Park. Home fans burst on the pitch three times.

    The cash-strapped Hammers can expect a huge fine if found guilty by the three-man disciplinary panel at Wembley Stadium.

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