The stage could be set for Andy Carroll to make a shock return to Anfield. West Ham had been tipped to make their deal for Carroll permanent at the end of the season, after West Ham co-owner David Sullivan spoke recently of a deal to take Carroll to Upton Park permanently (
via SkySports):
"I am often asked about Andy Carroll's deal. It is a season-long loan. Liverpool had an option to take him back in January, but he has been injured. "West Ham have an agreement with Liverpool to sign him at the end of the season, but we have no agreement with the player. "It was his desire to come to West Ham to prove himself to Liverpool and that hasn't changed. "He has had injuries since he came, but he is back to fitness now and we have 15 games left... we need some goals and some points, so let's see."
But
The Sun are now reporting that the Hammers will sign not the frontman permanently. The Sun article claims that his poor return of just three goals in fifteen matches and the injury problems Carroll has been through mean West Ham do not see a reported £17 million deal as value for money. The article also claims Carroll would be asking for a whopping £84,000 in wages, which his form at the club so far makes unjustifiable. This makes life a bit difficult for the Geordie frontman, he is obviously unwanted at Anfield, as The Sun say boss Brendan Rodgers has no place for him now that he's signed Daniel Sturridge, and there seems a slim chance he will ever forge a career there, especially with his style of play very unsuited to Rodgers. If the fees are as high as mentioned a move back to former club Newcastle United also seems off the cards, with the Magpies' transfer manifesto so far making expensive acquisitions a rarity. The article in The Sun goes on to claim Allardyce and West Ham will turn their attention to Southamptons Ricky Lambert instead, who could be available for as little as £6 million despite bagging twelve Premier League goals this season. Do you think Carroll has a future at Liverpool? Would his different style of play offer Rodgers a Plan B? Share your thoughts below.