Liverpool Transfer Rumors: Reds Parting Ways with Andy Carroll Is Smart Move

Andy Carroll will seemingly move on from Liverpool this summer, with reports beginning to emerge that the Reds have agreed on a transfer fee with West Ham.

The England international—who spent the year on loan at Upton Park—has reportedly been subject to a bid of £15 million from the London club, and the Reds are believed to have accepted that bid, though no official confirmation has been given by either club.

The Daily Mirror reported the news:

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Liverpool and West Ham have agreed a fee to make striker Andy Carroll's loan to the Hammers permanent. ... The Press Association is reporting that Liverpool agreed several weeks ago to accept a fee of £15 million—rising with various add-ons—to get the 24-year-old off their wage bill, as they prepare to start their own summer spending.

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However, as the report goes on to state—and Chris Bascombe at The Telegraph highlights further—the deal is still dependent on Carroll agreeing to move.

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Carroll held talks with Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers in the last 24 hours when he was informed he could move to Upton Park on a permanent transfer. Instead, the former Newcastle United forward said he remained determined to prove himself at Anfield despite knowing he would only be a squad player.

Liverpool will have to convince Carroll that it is unlikely he will ever establish himself on Merseyside and he would be wiser to move on.

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That, it seems, might be difficult for the Reds, but there is a relatively easy argument to be made for Carroll leaving Anfield in order to benefit his long-term future.

With the 2014 World Cup approaching with every passing week, Carroll will desperately want to prove himself as a great asset to the team. However, without regular starting appearances, he is unlikely to do that, and thus will likely end up making the switch to Upton Park in order to play first-team football.

Especially since he's out injured for the upcoming international fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, Carroll needs to be playing constant football in 2013 if he's going to make the squad. Thus the decision to move away will seemingly be an inevitable one from the striker—especially given that Rodgers can now highlight his lack of necessity to the current Liverpool squad.

And given his lack of necessity, this is actually quite a good deal for Liverpool.

Having played the season without the 24-year-old, it was clear that the Reds do not need him, per se, next season. They probably do need another striker this summer to add depth, but from a financial standpoint, they could likely get someone much cheaper (and potentially even better) than the forward, whose style and strong points don't really suit the system now in place at Anfield.

With Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho, the Reds' attack is no longer centered around a dominant big man up front, which is what Carroll provides.

And given his wages, it's therefore smart to part ways with him.

West Ham—having seen firsthand just how good Carroll can be—will no doubt love the move and potentially got themselves a steal at just £15 million.

For despite the fact that Carroll isn't the £35 million he was originally transferred for, he's still a very, very good striker. He brings great athleticism in the air and gives the attack a big man to target, which the Hammers showed could bring them great success in the English Premier League.

And whilst their success might seem like a poor decision from Liverpool, the fact that they don't need his style means that parting ways with him is a good move.

Not only will it swell Rodgers' transfer kitty for the season ahead, but it will get the large and unnecessary wages of Carroll off Liverpool's books and allow them to upgrade a position that better suits their system. And with the attacking talent already existent at the Merseyside club, that could turn out to be an inspired decision in the 2013-14 season.

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