Chinese Super League clubs were scouting striker Andy Carroll this season, says West Ham boss Slaven Bilic.

But Bilic says there was "no way" West Ham were going to sell the 28-year-old in the January transfer window.

"He is one of our best players and we want to keep him," said Bilic.

"Chinese clubs send their representatives over to investigate. They were watching other players, but they fell in love with Andy. The club didn't try to sell him."

Bilic says Carroll heard about the interest and was no doubt "flattered by it", but that it had not been discussed.