Transfer latest: Evan Ferguson closing in on Roma move, Andy Carroll joins Dagenham & Redbridge

Should his move go through, Ferguson will work under recently apppointed Gian Piero Gasperini in the Italian capital.

ITALIAN JOB: Evan Ferguson is edging closer to a move to Italian Giants AS Roma, according to reports.

Evan Ferguson is edging closer to a move to Italian Giants AS Roma, according to reports.

The Republic of Ireland striker will be looking to kick start his career after a difficult spell with Brighton & Hove Albion, and an unsuccessful loan spell at West Ham United last season.

The Bettystown native made just eight Premier League appearances for the Hammers since joining in January and linking up with former manager Graham Potter, but he would just play 14 minutes in their last eight games.

Should his move go through, he will work under recently apppointed Gian Piero Gasperini in the Italian capital.

Meanwhile Andy Carroll will play sixth-tier football next season after signing for the National League South side Dagenham & Redbridge on a free transfer.

The former Newcastle, West Ham and Liverpool striker, 36, who became a free agent after leaving Bordeaux this summer, has reportedly taken a minority stake in the club as part of a Qatari-led takeover, and will be managed by the former Manchester City striker Lee Bradbury.

Carroll, who won nine England caps, told the Sun: “I really enjoyed my time in Bordeaux but it’s time for me to get settled with my family. I was getting offers from clubs in France, Italy and Spain, but I wanted to come home.

“I could sign for a top club, but me and the managers might not see eye to eye, so I just want to be somewhere I’m going to be happy. It’s never been about the money for me, I could have signed for a lot more money. I just love playing football.”

The signing coincided with Dagenham announcing a takeover by a consortium of private investors from Qatar, subject to approval by the FA and the National League.

Youseph Al Sharif, representing the group, told the club’s website: “I’ve followed English football closely for years, and I know what clubs like Dagenham represent to their communities. We’re stepping into something that matters to people’s lives, and we don’t take that lightly.

“We’re here to contribute properly and earn our place. This will take time, but we’re committed to building with care, ambition, and respect for everything Dagenham & Redbridge FC stands for.”

Elsewhere West Ham are poised to sign the Slavia Prague left-back El Hadji Malick Diouf for £22m plus £5m in add-ons.

Graham Potter is seeking to rebuild and is working with a bigger budget after the £54.5m sale of Mohammed Kudus to Tottenham. West Ham had to sell to buy but are now able to go ahead with their transfer plans and are on the verge of clinching a deal for Diouf.

West Ham opened talks with Slavia last month and negotiations are almost complete. Diouf, who can play as a left-back or a left-wingback, impressed for Senegal in their victory over England last month. 

The Hammers will also aim to bring in a goalkeeper, a left centre-back, two central midfielders and a striker. They may try to sign a left-winger and are keen to make further sales. They are open to offers for Nayef Aguerd, Edson Álvarez, Guido Rodríguez and Niclas Füllkrug.