Sam Allardyce expects Andy Carroll to make a decision on his future within the next few days.
A fee of around £15million has been agreed between Hammers and Liverpool for the England striker but there has been a significant period of suspense as the clubs have waited for Carroll’s decision on whether he wants a permanent move to East London.
But Allardyce has admitted that the wait is almost over and a decision will be made by the end of next week at the very latest.
Speaking to The Mirror from his Spanish Villa, he said: “We are both out of the country but most of the negotiations are done and the financial agreement between us and Liverpool is in place.
“It’s about communicating with Andy and his agent between London, here in Spain where I am and Florida where Andy is.
“He’s back in the next few days so we should have a definitive answer by the end of next week.”
And Allardyce, who has made it no secret that he sees the 24-year-old as a vital piece to his West Ham jigsaw as he prepares a side worthy of a top-ten Premier League finish next season, explained that Carroll knows how much he is wanted by him and the Hammers faithful.
“I’ve no real need to speak to him over his decision. I’ve spoken to him enough times so he knows with I think and it’s up to him.”
The Hammers are prepared to smash their wage structure and transfer record in order to secure Carroll’s signature with a four-year contract worth £100,000 per-week reported to be on the table.
