By HUGH SOUTHON
WEST HAM’S owners and legal team are locked in talks to ensure Andy Carroll stays at Upton Park.
Liverpool face a striker crisis after allowing £35million Carroll to join the Hammers on loan.
But the Londoners reckon they have a watertight deal which avoids any chance of the striker being recalled to Anfield in January — or being sold to anyone other than themselves.
There is speculation Liverpool will attempt to take advantage of the clause which declares the agreement hangs on West Ham “not being relegated”.
A Hammers source said: “We have a deal which allows us to buy him tomorrow at around £17-£18m if we chose to.
“We are convinced Andy cannot be sold to any other club. We have him on a year’s loan with the first option to buy but have called in the legal eagles to check everything.”
