Carroll deal close as fee agreed

21 May 2013 20:17

West Ham's chances of signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll on a permanent deal appear to now rest solely with the player after the two clubs reached agreement on a transfer fee.

Press Association Sport understands Liverpool agreed several weeks ago to accept a fee of £15million, rising with various add-ons, to get the 24-year-old striker off their wage bill. With the Hammers willing to pay the asking price for a player that cost £35million when joining the Reds from Newcastle in January 2011, the only barrier to the transfer is Carroll himself, who has spoken fondly of his season-long loan at Upton Park.

A major consideration for the England international, recently recalled to Roy Hodgson's squad, will be the implications of a pay cut at Upton Park. But with a World Cup just 12 months away, Carroll has to weigh up whether he would be better off playing regularly with little likelihood of first-team football under Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers.

Despite only scoring seven goals at West Ham, the 6ft 3ins striker proved a popular signing and he admits he has enjoyed his time in London.

"I have enjoyed every minute of being here," he told whufc.com. "I have just tried to play my best in every match, score goals and keep myself fit once I got back from the injuries I had and then push on from there."

He added: "Everyone has been so welcoming to me and I have been over the moon to be here. This is a great club."

Meanwhile, Rodgers is moving forward on his plans for summer strengthening by looking at bringing in Manchester City's out-of-contract centre-back Kolo Toure.

The Reds boss needs to fill the hole left by the retirement of Jamie Carragher and the 32-year-old Ivory Coast international is seen as a potential short-term fix.

However, once again Rodgers has other options he wants to pursue in central defence and a deal for Toure is far from done.

Source: PA