Andy Carroll 'will only leave Liverpool for European football'

Andy Carroll will only consider leaving Liverpool for a team that is playing regular European football, according to reports.

Unless Carroll can find a club competing in Europe he is content to stay at Anfield and fight for his place, The Sun reports.

A close friend of Carroll's is quoted as saying: "It doesn't matter what West Ham bid, Andy doesn't want to go there."

The news will come as a real blow to the Hammers, who have been reported this week as making an initial loan bid of £2m with a future record fee of around £16m.

Carroll joined the Liverpool squad on their tour of North America this week in a bid to gain fitness and prove his worth to new manager Brendan Rodgers.