Transfer Grades: Premier League new boys

Andy Carroll – Liverpool to West Ham (£15.5m)

What’s the deal? West Ham end Carroll’s Anfield purgatory by making his loan spell permanent.

Is the price right? It’s pretty right, if a tad on the expensive side. However, Liverpool had to recoup as much as possible so couldn’t really take much less. The extra .5m means they didn’t quite lose £20m!

Why sign him? At times he was unplayable for West Ham last season. His sheer size and willingness to throw himself around make him a real nightmare for defences to cope with. Their style of play needs his menace at the top of the attack to be effective. It’s also a sign of ambition.

Why sell him? He couldn’t be less of a fit for Rodgers’ system.

Will it work? It should do, but whether he’ll deliver what you’d expect a £15m player to do is up in the air. He will be the focal point of the team playing in it’s current style. The only question is; how long will West Ham be happy to play like that and if they change manager will Carroll be relevant?

Grade: B- They made him their priority and on his day he’s untouchable. However, for the £15m they could have secured more quality.