Season loan - well done Big Sam, you always had your eye on him!
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is set to join West Ham on a season-long loan.
The 23-year-old England player had a medical on Thursday and is expected to complete his move to Upton Park.
Carroll had wanted to stay at Anfield but the realisation that he was out of manager Brendan Rodgers' plans persuaded him to take a move.
It is understood there is no commitment to buy the player but the deal could allow Liverpool to free up funds to move for Fulham striker Clint Dempsey.
"Andy is at West Ham, going through a medical there," Rodgers said. "It is very simple - the club have made a monumental investment in big Andy. At the moment he is not playing. He made it very clear he wanted to play games and this is his last chance to do that."
Having conceded defeat in their chase for Carroll earlier this month, West Ham were given signs of encouragement on Thursday.
Liverpool manager Rodgers is desperate to raise funds for new signings and made it clear Carroll was a "third choice" striker at Anfield.
He said: "You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see Andy has been a cover player for us and has been excellent in terms of his attitude and acceptance of where he is at.
"But I don't think we are in a position to have £35m players as third-choice strikers, or wingers who are on £5m-£6m a year."
Newcastle's offer to take Carroll on a season-long loan remains on the table, but it remains to be seen if they decide to improve their offer.
Liverpool must raise funds in order to step up their interest in Dempsey, while Arsenal's Theo Walcott also remains a target.
With Charlie Adam expected to join Stoke City shortly and Jay Spearing likely to leave on loan to either Bolton or Wolves, Liverpool may be able to make an offer for Dempsey in the next 24 hours.
Carroll will play no part in the Europa League play-off round second leg against Hearts on Thursday night.
Liverpool have, however, completed the signing of 18-year-old striker Samed Yesil from Bayer Leverkusen. The fee for the German Under-18 international is understood to be in the region of £1m.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19422144
Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is set to join West Ham on a season-long loan.
The 23-year-old England player had a medical on Thursday and is expected to complete his move to Upton Park.
Carroll had wanted to stay at Anfield but the realisation that he was out of manager Brendan Rodgers' plans persuaded him to take a move.
It is understood there is no commitment to buy the player but the deal could allow Liverpool to free up funds to move for Fulham striker Clint Dempsey.
"Andy is at West Ham, going through a medical there," Rodgers said. "It is very simple - the club have made a monumental investment in big Andy. At the moment he is not playing. He made it very clear he wanted to play games and this is his last chance to do that."
Having conceded defeat in their chase for Carroll earlier this month, West Ham were given signs of encouragement on Thursday.
Liverpool manager Rodgers is desperate to raise funds for new signings and made it clear Carroll was a "third choice" striker at Anfield.
He said: "You don't need to be a rocket scientist to see Andy has been a cover player for us and has been excellent in terms of his attitude and acceptance of where he is at.
"But I don't think we are in a position to have £35m players as third-choice strikers, or wingers who are on £5m-£6m a year."
Newcastle's offer to take Carroll on a season-long loan remains on the table, but it remains to be seen if they decide to improve their offer.
Liverpool must raise funds in order to step up their interest in Dempsey, while Arsenal's Theo Walcott also remains a target.
With Charlie Adam expected to join Stoke City shortly and Jay Spearing likely to leave on loan to either Bolton or Wolves, Liverpool may be able to make an offer for Dempsey in the next 24 hours.
Carroll will play no part in the Europa League play-off round second leg against Hearts on Thursday night.
Liverpool have, however, completed the signing of 18-year-old striker Samed Yesil from Bayer Leverkusen. The fee for the German Under-18 international is understood to be in the region of £1m.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19422144