Hammers fear Carroll may force Blues move
West Ham player Andy Carroll
West Ham United fear that Andy Carroll wants to quit the club during the January transfer window to try and force a move Chelsea.
The 29-year-old striker is surprisingly under consideration at Stamford Bridge as the Premier League champions look to boost their striker options.
Chelsea have suffered three successive goalless draws - for the first time in the club's history - with concerns over the form and fitness of record signing Alvaro Morata, who appears desperately in need of a rest.
Head coach Antonio Conte appears to have little faith in back-up striker Michy Batshuayi and it is possible that Chelsea may offer the Belgium international in exchange for Carroll until the end of the season.
West Ham have previously expressed interest in Batshuayi but are adamant - at present - that they will not allow Carroll to leave the club and especially not on loan. However, there is a growing sense at West Ham that Carroll may attempt to push for the move.
Carroll has only started three games under Moyes and wants to play more regularly after scoring twice in the victory over West Bromwich Albion at the start of the year.
He missed West Ham's victory over Huddersfield Town with an ankle injury and ongoing concerns over his ability to stay fit could yet put Chelsea off.
Sources at West Ham say it will take "a very big fee" to persuade them to allow Carroll to leave this month even though there have been frustrations over his fitness.
West Ham are in the market to sell forwards during this window with Javier Hernandez and Diafra Sakho believed to be up for sale.
