Sam Allardyce wants to sign Andy Carroll on a permanent basis in the summer.
The on-loan striker has impressed in recent games for the Hammers, including netting a brace against West Brom last weekend.
And Allardyce believes that Carroll’s form has convinced him that a permanent deal would benefit the club as they begin preparing for another top-flight season, albeit if they need at least one more win for that to be a complete certainty.
He told the BBC: ” Would I like him here next season? The answer is yes. But there are a lot of things that need to be done. We will look at that at the end of the season. There is always a possibility.
“That was the best we have seen of him here [against West Brom], because he has put two goals in, on top of a good performance. I hope this kicks him on to being a regular scorer for us in the next eight games.
“He is in a good frame of mind now and, finally after a long wait, his fitness is good and that’s why you are seeing these performances and the goals are coming.”
With Carlton Cole’s contract up in the summer and on-loan strikers Marouane Chamakh and Wellington Paulista looking very unlikely to be offered a new deal, a £17million deal for Carroll could be an important signing for the Hammers if they are to improve next season.
