Sam Allardyce targets Andy Carroll

Sam Allardyce is determined to make Hammers forward Andy Carroll his first signing as Sunderland manager

West Ham striker Carroll who was seen as an idol during his five years at St James' Park, has been continually linked with a return to the Magpies in recent months after an unimpressive career stint with the hammers so far.  

The Black Cats, though, have now joined the race to sign the forward and sources have confirmed that the Hammers would be be willing to sell the forward if they get an offer they deemed acceptable.

The striker, who moved to the capital in a £15 million deal in 2013, is the club’s highest earner, collecting around £85,000-per-week, and his departure would see West Ham recoup £14m in wages over the duration of his current deal, which expires in 2019.

Despite public statements to the contrary, the Hammers are understood to be willing to do business at less than they paid to acquire his signature, with a bid of £8m likely to be accepted.

Allardyce tried to sign Carroll when he became available at Liverpool the two share an agent and is now keen to be reunited with the 26-year-old, with whom he is understood to have enjoyed a good relationship prior to his sacking at the end of the 2014-15 season.

Both Jermain Defoe and Steven Fletcher have found themselves among the goals this term scoring six and four respectively but Allardyce believes an injection of fresh blood in the New Year may prove decisive in the club’s quest to remain in the Premier League.

Following Allardyce’s departure, Carroll has fallen behind Diafra Sakho in the pecking order under Slaven Bilic and, despite scoring a dramatic winner against champions Chelsea, concerns persist over his suitability to the manager’s system.