West Ham United and Newcastle United are battling to land Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

The Daily Star says a £15m West Ham bid for Carroll last night sparked off a tug-of-war with former club Newcastle.

Promoted Hammers have made a club record offer to sign the Liverpool striker permanently.

But Newcastle yesterday made contact with Kop bosses and tabled an offer to take him on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent switch.

And although Liverpool last night rejected Toon's offer, sources hinted Carroll would welcome a return to his home- town club, who sold him to Liverpool for £35m in January of last year.