Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing West Ham striker Andy Carroll on a permanent deal in the January transfer window.Summer signing Alvaro Morata has been misfiring and it's evident that Antonio Conte has no faith in back-up striker Michy Batshuayi.The 24-year-old Belgian striker started the first game of the season in August but has started just one game since.Chelsea did recently complete the £15m signing of Ross Barkley from Everton but the Blues want to strengthen their squad further.Conte won the Premier League in his first season at Stamford Bridge but his side lie fourth in the table, 15 points behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
Andy Carroll
The 29-year-old striker - who was a major flop during his spell at Liverpool - has scored two Premier League goals in 12 appearances this season.
The Hammers splashed out £15m to sign Carroll from Liverpool in 2012 but he's only managed to rack up 32 league goals during his five-and-a-half year spell at West Ham.
He has been linked with a loan move to Chelsea but various reputable sources on Tuesday suggested Conte is looking to sign the England international on a permanent deal.
It hasn't gone down well with Chelsea supporters.
The important point Chelsea fans are making
West Ham reportedly want £20m for Carroll whilst Chelsea's key Belgian duo Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois are both stalling over new deals in west London.
Chelsea fans on social media have been making a very valid point about what the arrival of Carroll would mean for the contract negotiations surrounding Hazard.
They're spot on.
Why on earth would Hazard commit his future to a club who consider signing Carroll to be progress?
"It is the club that signs the players, not me. Recruitment is not my job," said Conte to Italian media recently. "The club try to do the best for this team and try to improve this team.
"I am a coach and I give my opinion if the club asks for it. But it is the club that decides on the players."
Chelsea fans would surely be surprised if Conte is urging the board to splash the cash on West Ham's burly frontman.