Andy Carroll was today weighing up his options after Liverpool accepted a £12 million offer from West Ham for the England striker.
Sam Allardyce is keen to make the move permanent following a successful loan deal but is keen for a quick decision from Carroll, as the West Ham manager continues his planning for next season. Both Liverpool and West Ham are keen for the deal, which could rise to £15m with add-ons, to be finalised but it is understood that Carroll (above) wants to see if any other clubs are prepared to make an offer.
Newcastle, who sold the 24-year-old to Liverpool in 2011 for £35m, are said to be keen to buy the player back and a return to his roots in the north-east could be an attractive option.
Alternative destinations for Carroll’s appear limited. Other possible suitors, such as Tottenham, have yet to declare their interest and his hope that Liverpool would keep him now appear slim. Monaco are interested but Carroll would prefer to stay in England.
Allardyce is prepared to wait for Carroll’s answer until the end of next week. One possible complication is that Carroll has withdrawn from the England squad with a heel injury and could be out for three months.
With Carlton Cole out of contract and leaving the club, West Ham need to sign at least two strikers before next season.
They remain keen on Romelu Lukaku, who has returned to Chelsea following his loan spell at West Brom but will have to wait until a new manager arrives at Stamford Bridge and makes a decision on the 20-year-old. Other options include Wilfried Bony, the 24-year-old Ivory Coast striker who has scored 46 goals in 65 appearances for Vitesse Arnhem and is keen to move to the Premier League. West Ham have also been linked with Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes.
Meanwhile, Allardyce is delighted with his first signing of the summer, Romania captain Razvan Rat.
Full-back Rat, 31, who has won 88 international caps, has signed a one-year deal with a longer-term option after leaving Shakhtar Donetsk on a free transfer and Allardyce said: “He’s been playing Champions League football this year and at the highest level for many years. Shakhtar had offered him a very good contract but his ambition was to come and try his abilities and skills in England.
“When you hear somebody speak so positively, then you know they’ve got the mental character that’s needed to do well in this division.”
There was also speculation today that AC Milan star Massimo Ambrosini, 35, was in London for talks with West Ham.
The club will be keen to boost the midfield department of their squad following the likely departure of Gary O’Neil. The former Portsmouth and Middlesbrough player has been offered reduced terms by the Upton Park club but is unlikely to accept.
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FORMER West Ham boss Alan Pardew was today due to discuss the future with Newcastle owner Mike Ashley. Pardew’s position has been the subject of speculation after Newcastle’s poor season but it appears the board accept the decision not to invest heavily last year was a factor.
