West Ham United are reportedly ready to smash their transfer record and break the club's current wage structure to land Andy Carroll.
The England international striker is due to hold talks over a five-year contract at Upton Park with Hammers boss Sam Allardyce next week, after the club reportedly agreed an initial £16m fee with Liverpool.
Allardyce has made signing Carroll his top priority this summer and according to The Sun co-owner David Sullivan has backed his manager, agreeing to pay Carroll a club-high wage of £100,000 per week.
Carroll's deal will be worth a reported £25m in wages across his five-year deal, with Liverpool due a further £3m in add-ons based on performances, taking the total outlay for any potential move to around £44m.
The 24-year-old is yet to give the green light to any permanent West Ham deal, but a return to Anfield looks increasingly unlikely after Liverpool agreed a deal with Spanish striker Iago Aspas this week.
Carroll scored seven goals in 26 appearances during a productive loan spell in East London last season.
Liam Power
