Carroll nears West Ham switch

Liverpool striker Andy Carroll looks set to complete his permanent move to West Ham United later this week, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The 24 year old, who’s £35 million transfer from Newcastle United to the Reds in January 2011 remains the record for a British player, has been considering his options since Liverpool accepted a bid from the Hammers last month.

Sam Allardyce took the England international on loan for the majority of last season, though injury limited him to just twenty-four league appearances.

A return to hometown club Newcastle had been mooted, though a bid has not been forthcoming, leaving his options limited.

Carroll has played just nineteen minutes of football under Brendan Rodgers, who faces an attacking headache of ahead of the new season with all three of his current first team front line either injured, suspended or seemingly on their way out of the club.

Should want-away striker Luis Suarez stay at Anfield, he will miss the opening six games of the season through suspension, while Daniel Sturridge could miss the beginning of the new campaign having been stretchered off with ankle ligament damage in England’s 1-1 draw with the Republic of Ireland last Wednesday.