West Ham transfer news: Andy Carroll will not be sold in January, insists Slaven Bilic

Staying put: Andy Carroll
(Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)
James Olley7 January 2016

West Ham boss Slaven Bilic insists the club are not interested in selling striker Andy Carroll.

Newcastle and Sunderland had been linked with an £18million move for the 27-year-old amid reports Bilic would have to sell before he could buy during this month’s transfer window.

However, Bilic insists he is not looking to significantly strengthen and has no plans to offload Carroll with the striker only recently returning to full fitness.

“We never said we were willing to sell Andy, not me, not the chairman,” he said. “He’s a very popular player. Two goals in two games, the rumours start. The only way to stop the rumours is to play badly.

“We do not want to sell him. I think he likes it here, he’s very important in the dressing room. I know he is happy here.

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“We did the majority of the work in the transfer market in the summer — we are in a good situation with players coming back.

“We coped well with the injury situation but we don’t want to be in that position again. We are not going to be that active.

“We’re not going to buy just because we can. But if an exceptional deal comes available, then maybe.”

Bilic also revealed Manuel Lanzini is set to be sidelined for two to three weeks with a groin problem.

But West Ham were boosted ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup third‑round clash against Wolves with the return of Winston Reid to full training this week after a hamstring injury.

Dimitri Payet is slowly rebuilding his match fitness after making his first appearance in nearly two months following an ankle injury.

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