Manchester United to Offer 12-Month Contract to Chelsea Defender – Report

Sir Alex Ferguson is prepared to offer Ashley Cole the chance to stay in the Premier League by handing him a one-year contract in the summer.

Cole will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season when his contract with Chelsea expires and it seems as though he could extend his playing career in England with Manchester United.

The Sun believes that Ferguson would like the England international to move to Old Trafford and is prepared to offer him an initial one-year deal which could then be extended if all goes well.

It has become clear that Chelsea are not prepared to offer Cole a new contract and that the defender will be forced to end his career away from Stamford Bridge.

Mega-rich French club Paris Saint-Germain have emerged as one option, but it seems Manchester United are also keen to sign the defender who has won just about every major honour in his club career.

United's current first choice at left-back, Patrice Evra, has been linked with a return to France, while summer signing Alexander Buttner is still learning his trade and untested at the highest level.

Cole could be joined at Manchester United by his current Chelsea team-mate as it was yesterday reported that Ferguson is also interested in offering Lampard a one-year deal.

The 34-year-old has also been informed that he will not get a new contract and will be available on a free at the end of the season.

With suggestions that Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs could both leave at the end of the season, it seems Ferguson is keen to bring some established, senior figures into the club.

United have a relatively young squad and Ferguson may feel they would profit from having players such as Cole and Lampard who have won major honours and competed at the very highest level for more than a decade.