Chelsea in talks over £20million transfer as rivals prepared to cash in on key playe

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Chelsea are reportedly in talks over a £20million transfer swoop for West Ham striker Andy Carroll as the club look prepared to consider offers for the player. The Blues had been linked with an interest in taking Carroll on loan, but it may now be that he’ll head to Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis. According to the Telegraph, West Ham were not keen on sanctioning a loan move, but are prepared to listen to offers of around £20m for the former Liverpool front-man. Chelsea have struggled for goals of late and first-choice centre-forward Alvaro Morata looks to be low on both fitness and confidence if his recent displays are anything to go by. The Spain international is not used to playing 90 minutes week in, week out, having only been a squad player at previous club Real Madrid.

This seems to be taking its toll on Morata in his first season in the physically demanding Premier League, and Chelsea could do with a backup option. Carroll may not seem the most inspiring signing to most Chelsea supporters, but the 29-year-old remains an experienced performer with a great physical presence up top and a hammer of a left foot. His recent scoring record is not the best, but it’s worth noting that Carroll has had his injury problems and largely played in some uninspiring West Ham sides, with the service likely to be far superior if he moves across London to Chelsea.