West Ham United are preparing to break their transfer record to sign Liverpool striker Andy Carroll

The 23-year-old England international has been linked with interest from a number of clubs including AC Milan, Newcastle, Fulham and Aston Villa but most of the sides which have shown some interest are keen on an initial season-long loan deal.

Andy Carroll appears to be falling down the pecking order at Anfield and chairman Tom Werner said yesterday he will leave any decision on the striker’s future to manager Brendan Rodgers.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has been after the big Geordie ever since it emerged he would not play a starring role in Brendan Rodgers’ plans at Liverpool.

Hammers’ co-chairman David Sullivan and David Gold are prepared to break the club’s record transfer fee – which currently stands at £7million – to bring Carroll to Upton Park. Carroll worked with West Ham boss Sam Allardyce when the pair were at Newcastle.

However, the Hammers may find some resistance from Carroll himself. The former Newcastle striker is keen to move back to his old club should he find himself out of the picture at Anfield but Liverpool will want around a bid of around £20million before they sanction a deal.

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