West Ham United are close to agreeing terms with Liverpool over a permanent deal for Andy Carroll.

The Daily Express says Liverpool want £17million for him, but West Ham have offered only £10m for a player who left Newcastle two and a half years ago for £35m, still the record for a British player .

West Ham are hoping that a deal for about £12m will persuade Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers to sell, especially as he is adamant he wants the forward out of his club.

Carroll scored just six league goals for the Reds but, since moving to East London, has begun to flourish, and his form in the past few weeks has been eye-catching.