West Ham United will not trigger the current contract option on striker Andy Carroll’s deal, according to Claret and Hugh.
The reliable news outlet – a source of news on the Hammers – report that the best Carroll can expect at the end of this season is a ‘pay as you play’ contract instead of triggering the two year option on his current one [Claret and Hugh].
The report adds that if the ‘pay as you play’ deal is not attractive to Carroll, then he could be set to leave at the end of the season when his deal runs out, with the player keen on a move to the MLS.
OPINION
It is not surprised that West Ham are deciding not to extend the two-year option that they have on Carroll’s current contract – after all, he has had an injury ravaged season, so what use would he be to the Hammers in the near future? In the few games that he has appeared in this term – 13 in total – he has been woeful, so it is not like he is going to improve any time soon. ‘Pay as you play’ seems like the most sensible option for a fringe attacker who makes little impact, as it means he would only be rewarded for the games he actually stars in. At the moment, he is not getting games, so that option is not likely to be very attractive to Carroll. It would not be a shock to see him leave at the end of the season, as he would want to be at a club who offers him a much better deal than a ‘pay as you play’.