Decision rests with Carroll as clubs agree fee

West Ham’s chances of signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll on a permanent deal appear to now rest solely with the player after the two clubs reached agreement on a transfer fee.

Liverpool agreed several weeks ago to accept a fee of £15 million, rising with various add-ons, to get the 24-year-old striker off their wage bill.

With the Hammers willing to pay the asking price for a player that cost £35m when joining the Reds from Newcastle in January 2011, the only barrier to the transfer is Carroll himself, who has spoken fondly of his season-long loan at Upton Park.