Signing Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is still West Ham s top priority over the off-season, according to club manager Sam Allardyce.
The 24-year-old forward spent last season on loan at Upton Park, scoring seven goals in 24 Premier League appearances.
Carroll s impact was not just limited to goals, with West Ham delighted with the all-round play of the most expensive British player ever, who cost Liverpool 35 million pounds from Newcastle in 2011.
Allardyce has reportedly made a bid of 15 million pounds for the striker, who is currently weighing up his options.
At this moment in time, our first priority is signing Andy Carroll, if we can, Allardyce told the club s official website.
Carroll declared at the end of the season that West Ham was a great club and that he had been over the moon to play for them.
Allardyce may have been on holiday in recent weeks, but that has not stopped him, and West Ham, in signing players.
The London club have already announced the signings of Shakhtar Donetsk defender Razvan Rat and Real Betis goalkeeper Adrian, with more promised.
And the former Bolton and Newcastle manager says with modern technology, negotiating with players is far easier than it previously was.
The work never really stops over the summer, but I can do it from where the sun is shining because of the communication levels you can achieve today with the technology, he said.
Via Skype or phone or email or conference call, it is pretty easy to keep in touch with everybody and we can all link-up together if need be.
If there is an imminent signing, then I ll be straight back to meet and greet the player and shake hands when he s signed the contract and to welcome him to West Ham United.
