The latest in the Carroll saga…

Andy Carroll will reject a £15 million permanent switch to West Ham in favour of returning to Liverpool to fight for his place, according to a report today.

Carroll spent the season on-loan at the Hammers, scoring seven goals and helping Sam Allardyce’s side to a tenth place finish in their first season back in the Premier League.

Last week it was reported that Liverpool and West Ham had agreed a fee of around £15million to make the deal permanent, with Carroll’s former club Newcastle said to be the only other interested party.

However, Goal.com report today:

“Things haven’t worked out for Andy at Liverpool but he went there with high hopes and isn’t ready to throw in the towel just yet,” a source told Goal. “He enjoyed his time with West Ham but feels he has unfinished business at Anfield.”

Carroll faces a summer on the sidelines as he recovers from a heel injury that will see him sit out of England’s international friendlies away at the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Liverpool signed the 24-year-old striker from Newcastle for a record £35 million in January 2011, but was sent on-loan when Rodgers arrived at the club last summer.

It was reported a few weeks ago that Carroll may have been house hunting back on Merseyside, opening up rumours that he is ready to return and fight for his place amongst Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini in the Anfield attack.

However, this story is more likely a ploy by Carroll and his representatives for Liverpool to reduce their asking price and open up what is believed to be the player’s preferred move back to Newcastle.