Ray Parlour claimed that West Ham fans would want attacker Andy Carroll to join Premier League rivals Tottenham after they were reportedly linked with the player.
The Sun reported on Monday that Spurs saw the Hammers forward as a contender to cover for the loss of Harry Kane to injury with him potentially being available to sign for £2million due to his contract situation.
Parlour added that he thought Carroll could still be a massive player for West Ham as he was their plan B and shared that he’d be surprised if he ended up joining Spurs.
“That is the big question (if Arnautovic goes) he can still be a massive player for West Ham off the bench and y’know he’s a plan B which you need in the team and Carroll can do that,” said Parlour on talkSPORT (Monday January 21, 7:33am).
“You have to get balls in the box and that’s one of his strengths, crosses coming into the box and he’s a good finisher when balls are coming into the box.
“It’d be a great move for Andy Carroll going to Spurs who are competing in the Champions League and having some big big games coming up, top four as well.
“I’d be so surprised though and I’m sure West Ham fans will be looking at it thinking wait a minute it’ll be good for us and he doesn’t play for us.
“It’ll be interesting to see what happens there as he’s on big money.”
OPINION
It’s hard to disagree with Parlour about Hammers fans wanting Carroll to join Tottenham upon hearing that they’re interested as the fact of the matter is most supporters have seen enough. The 29-year-old forward missed a sitter during the 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday and hasn’t looked good in the few appearances he has made this season after returning from injury. While you can feel sorry for Carroll as it seems he is still be a bit rusty after suffering an injury in the summer which saw him miss the first half of the season, Hammers fans have shown him enough sympathy over the past. Carroll has regularly been stuck on the sidelines due to his injuries and it’s far to say West Ham fans need players who are more reliable. Yet while Hammers fans may be keen on Carroll to joining Tottenham like Parlour believes, it would be shocking if Spurs sign a forward who is not only an injury concern but recruit one that can longer be described as prolific.