West Ham United admit they were rattled by comments from Joe Kinnear on Monday over a deal for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

The Hammers moved fast after concerns that Newcastle director of football Kinnear was about to hijack the deal. He stated signing a striker was a priority and West Ham were aware Carroll was keen to head back to his old club.

A Hammers insider told The Sun: "The comments from Joe worried us.

"Andy had been keen on staying at Liverpool or going to a top-five club or home to Newcastle, where he has two kids. So we had to move fast."