Hammers striker’s days look numbered

Andy Carroll’s long term West Ham future remains very much in the balance as the club prepare to entertain bids in the summer.

Despite the club regularly making assurances about the striker’s position at the club there is no question they feel short changed after a trouble torn five years – including his loan season – at the club.

In that time he has made 107 appearance – many off the bench – as he has battled numerous injuries, scoring 29 goals, just less that one every four games.

And with his contract up at the end of 2019 season the club are determined to get as much return on their £17 million investment as possible.

Although the three Chinese clubs who showed an interest in the transfer window are likely to return with firm offers in the summer, there remain big doubts that home boy AC would want to spend two or three years in the Far East.

And that looks to be the Hammers’ only chance of recouping or showing a profit on a player who has failed to score more than 19 goals in a season – and that was in the Championship back in 2009/10.

A Hammers source said: “People will draw their own conclusions given that another striker remains high on our list of priorities along with a right back!”