West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has revealed the club are interested in securing a permanent deal for on loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll in the summer transfer window, Sky Sports understands.
Carroll, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United for a transfer fee of £35 million in January 2011, has bagged seven goals and two assists in 22 league matches for West Ham this season.
Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has preferred the 24-year-old striker to the likes of Carlton Cole, Ricardo Vaz Tê and January arrivals Marouane Chamakh (on loan from Arsenal), Sean Maguire and Wellington Paulista (on loan from Cruzeiro).
That decision has paid off in recent weeks, with Carroll having netted six times in his last 11 league appearances for the East London club.
“We would love to keep him beyond this season and we will soon be sitting down with Andy and Liverpool to make some progress on that front,” said Sullivan, quoted in the Daily Mirror.
“Andy has battled back from injury twice to put in a series of tireless shifts for the team. His game is about so much more than just scoring goals.
“He is so often the focal point of everything good we do going forward.”
West Ham (11-10-15) are currently in 10th-place in the English Premier League table with two league fixtures remaining this season.
Alfei signs new Swansea deal
Swansea City defender Daniel Alfei has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension at the Liberty Stadium, according to Sky Sports.
Alfei, 21, has turn in a number of fine performances while on loan at Conference National side Wrexham F.C. over the past two seasons.
The 21-year-old defender is very happy with his current situation at Swansea, but has not ruled out a possible loan move in 2013-14.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Alfei. “It’s good to know the club has faith in me and there is nowhere I would rather be than Swansea.
“The loan spell at Wrexham was great for me. It’s a good club and I really believe I learnt a lot there this season. It’s made me a better player.
“Obviously it’s been difficult at times for me this season because of the injury, especially after missing out on their two trips to Wembley – what are the odds of that happening?
“But that’s all part of my development and I wouldn’t rule out going on loan somewhere again next season. I think that’s probably what I need to keep progressing before hopefully returning to push hard for a place in the first team.”
The Wales Under-21 international will strive to emulate team-mate and compatriot Ben Davies, who has been a first-team regular under Michael Laudrup — due to the long-term injury absence of Neil Taylor — in 2012-13, next season.
“I think Ben Davies has proved to all the youngsters what is possible,” added the Welshman. “I’m sure he didn’t expect to play regularly in the first team this season, but he took his chance when it came along and did really well. I know Ben’s example doesn’t happen too often, but you never know, especially when it comes to injuries.”
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