Premier League champions Chelsea are reportedly considering a loan move for West Ham United striker Andy Carroll in a bid to solve their goalscoring woes.
The Blues were held to a third consecutive goalless draw for the first time in the club's history by 10-man Leicester City on Saturday, while no team in the top seven has scored fewer goals than them in the Premier League this season.
Manager Antonio Conte is keen to bolster his attacking options having seen Alvaro Morata struggling for form during a five-game goalless run, while Eden Hazard has been taken off in the last four matches he has started.
Conte remains unconvinced by Michy Batshuayi as a backup option for Morata and was keen to bring a target man to Stamford Bridge last summer, only to miss out on Fernando Llorente to Tottenham Hotspur.
Reports emerged earlier this month that Carroll was a surprise target for the champions, and The Telegraph claims that a loan move for the former Liverpool striker is still a potential option.
Chelsea have also been linked with Richmond Boakye of Red Star Belgrade and Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke, although their faint hopes of signing Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal now appear to have been dashed for good.
West Ham would be reluctant to allow Carroll to leave the London Stadium due to the uncertain futures of Javier Hernandez and Diafra Sakho, although the inclusion of Batshuayi in the opposite direction could entice them to consider an offer.
Carroll has started only three Premier League games under David Moyes and has two goals in 14 appearances for the club across all competitions this season.
Barney Corkhill
