Liverpool Transfer News: West Ham Open Talks With Reds Over Andy Carroll

talkSPORT. Carroll has become something of a fan favourite during his time at Upton Park this season following his season-long loan move from Anfield at the start of the campaign. And despite spending a lengthy spell on the sidelines between December and late January with knee and hamstring problems, the Hammers want to make his stay permanent. Carroll has reportedly impressed bosses by scoring 7 goals this season and helping the side to a top 10 finish, and co-owner David Sullivan will do everything within his power to ensure he stays in London. Former club Newcastle as well as Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with the lanky forward's signature in recent months but Sullivan told the club's matchday programme:

"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. "My choice (for player of the year) would be Andy Carroll, who 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 and he is so often the focal point of everything good we do going forward."

Liverpool would likely be unopposed to letting Carroll go, despite spending £30 million to land him from St James' Park in the 2011 January transfer window. He has only scored 11 times for the Reds and is no longer a fixture in manager Brendan Rodger's immediate plans. The signing in January of Daniel Sturridge from Chelsea means it is unlikely Carroll will ever return to Anfield, and he will now move on to his fourth permanent club in seven years.