West Ham United are stepping up their bid for Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

The Sun says Hammers co-owner David Sullivan gave boss Sam Allardyce the green light to start talks about landing the Liverpool striker on a season-long loan.

That could lead to Carroll making a £15million switch in 12 months' time.

Now the whole deal is likely to rest on the outcome of face-to-face talks with Kop boss Brendan Rodgers as the £35million frontman seeks to discover exactly where - or if - he features in Liverpool's plans.