Sam Allardyce: 'Signing Andy Carroll is number one priority'

West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce has insisted that the club's number one priority is securing the signature of Andy Carroll from Liverpool.

Reports have claimed that the Premier League outfit have agreed a fee with the Reds for the striker, who spent a season-long loan at Upton Park.

Despite the two parties agreeing an alleged £15m deal, it is believed that Carroll's hesitation on making the move is due to wage demands.

"At this moment in time, our first priority is signing Andy Carroll, if we can," Allardyce told the club's official website.

"[The off-season is] about the recruitment of the other players who we want as quickly as we possibly can. That will be the most difficult part of this summer."

Recent reports have claimed that the Hammers have given in to Carroll's demands, offering the forward £100,000 a week.