Carroll 'close to Hammers loan'

Sky Sports sources understand West Ham United are on the brink of signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll on a season-long loan.

Liverpool could be ready to accept temporary exit of £35m man

Sky Sports sources understand West Ham United are on the brink of signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll on a season-long loan. The £35million January 2011 signing from Newcastle United has been expected to leave Anfield this summer as he is not a part of new boss Brendan Rodgers' first XI plans. West Ham have long been chasing Carroll and earlier in the summer were understood to have failed in bids for the England international. Hammers boss Sam Allardyce has always remained hopeful of signing the powerful striker despite earlier on Thursday seemingly conceding defeat. And it now appears Liverpool could be ready after all to send Carroll, who had also been linked with a return to Newcastle, out on loan to West Ham, with reports suggesting the Hammers are prepared to pay all of his wages. The 23-year-old was previously thought to have turned down a move to Upton Park because he only wanted to play for a club who are in Europe. Rodgers had last week also stated he would 'need to be a nutcase' to send Carroll out on loan and was instead only thought to want to sell on a permanent basis. Liverpool are looking to raise funds for further signings before Friday's transfer deadline and they have been linked with Chelsea's Daniel Sturridge.