Andy Carroll, the on loan Liverpool striker, has hinted at possibly staying at West Ham United on a permanent basis after playing the final game of his temporary spell at Upton Park in the 4-2 win over Reading.

Carroll made two assists during the victory over The Royals, to add to his seven league goals during his season-long spell with the Hammers, a solid if not spectacular season for the England international.

West Ham are understood to have first option over Carroll, who joined Liverpool from Newcastle United in January 2011, and the 24 year old remains coy over his future.

Andy Carroll
Carroll has scored seven goals this season.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens," Carroll told BBC Sport's Match of the Day program. "I don't want to give anything away."

But Carroll later wrote on Twitter: "Great game today buzzing for the skip getting a hat-trick and enjoyed every minute of being at west ham!!"

While Carroll's physicality suits West Ham's style of play, Liverpool's valuation, coupled with his paltry goal tally makes any signing a risk for the cash-strapped east London side.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is undecided over Carroll's future, but has previously stated the Gateshead born forward would have a role to play should he return to Anfield.

Sam Allardyce, the West Ham boss who celebrated a top half finish a season after winning promotion via the play-offs from the Championship, says negotiations have already begun regarding a permanent deal for Carroll.

"It is our target to make it a permanent situation," he said.

"Hopefully we can get somewhere in the near future to do that. It's our main priority. There are negotiations between the club and Liverpool.

"We have to pursue it to the very end one way or another and we will find out as quickly as we can if it is a yes or a no," added Allardyce.

"If we can start with Andy Carroll, that would be a great achievement for us as he can only get better and better.

"Then we build around that in terms of how we want to improve next year, with better quality.

"Andy is a player who is wanting to enjoy his football. He lives for his football and wants to play every game. He wants to use his strengths and score as many as he can - but he also works very hard for the team."