Fulham are considering a reunion with their former striker Andrew Cole as they attempt to edge in front of Newcastle United and sign the Manchester United forward.

The England international has become Jean Tigana’s number one striking target after Fulham failed in attempts to sign Jan Koller, Freddie Kanoute, Dennis Bergkamp and Oliver Bierhoff this summer. Interest in Steve Marlet and Hakan Suker appears to have cooled and Soccernet suggests that the Whites are ready to offer more than £10m to entice Cole back to Craven Cottage, where he spent six months on loan as a twenty year-old.

Cole, whose first-team chances at Old Trafford are likely to be limited following the arrival of Ruud van Nistelrooy, played a crucial part in turning Sunday’s game against the Whites around after coming on a second half substitute. The 29 year-old, who Sir Alex Ferguson has publicly insisted is not for sale, has been linked with a return to Newcastle United, who sold him to the Red Devils six years ago in a £7m plus Keith Gillespie deal.

Cole, though, is reportedly keener on returning to London than signing for Newcastle.