NEWCASTLE UNITED will turn their attentions to other attacking targets after shelving their interest in Liverpool striker Andy Carroll.

Carroll, who spent the season on loan at West Ham United, has been a long-term target of Magpies boss Alan Pardew, despite leaving the club just over two years ago, but the Hammers emerged as front runners to sign him after reportedly agreeing a £15m fee with Liverpool.

Pardew has made no secret of his desire to bring the Gateshead-born striker back to St James' Park and last week admitted any club would be interested in signing the 24-year-old should he become available.

Carroll's long-term future has been the subject of continued speculation since Brendan Rodgers arrived at Anfield with it quickly becoming clear that the striker did not fit into his plans.

The Magpies made a cheeky attempt to sign their former player on loan last summer, but Liverpool were unwilling to let Carroll go after paying a British transfer record £35m for him in January 2011.

Despite some injury issues, Carroll helped Sam Allardyce's side to a 10th place finish in their first season back in the Premier League, returning figures of seven goals in 22 games.

The Hammers have been keen to make Carroll's loan move permanent for some time and knowing Newcastle were also interested, they have moved quickly in a bid to secure his signature.

Given Newcastle owner Mike Ashley's strict transfer policy, it appears the Hammers' £15m bid has priced the striker out of a return to Tyneside with the Magpies thought to be willing to pay no more than £10m to seal his return.

However, a clause in Carroll's transfer to Liverpool, which states Newcastle would receive a 25 per cent sell-on clause, would mean Ashley would technically only have to pay 11.25m to match West Ham's bid.

But a potential fee isn't the only stumbling block for Newcastle, though, with Carroll's 90,000-per-week wages way outside of their wage structure.

The 6ft 3in striker's fitness has also put a cloud over a permanent move away from Anfield after it was revealed the heel injury, which saw him drop out of Roy Hodgson's England squad this week, could keep him out until October.

Pardew met Ashley yesterday to discuss why the club's season had been so disappointing and the topic of summer transfers is likely to have been near the top of the list.

The Magpies have suffered ever since letting Demba Ba sign for Chelsea in January and are yet to replace the huge void left by the Senegal international.

St Etienne's Gabon internatioanl Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains on Newcastle's radar, but he too would command a fee of at least £10m.

The ball is now firmly in Carroll's court and he is now residing over the terms offered by West Ham. Should he accept, Newcastle will have to channel their interest elsewhere.

However, if the 24-year-old, who is said to been keen on a return home, digs his heels in over a permanent move to West Ham, Newcastle could opt to re-assess their options.

Meanwhile, Newcastle could be without Tim Krul at the beginning of next season.

The Dutch keeper suffered a dislocated shoulder against Sunderland on April 14 and it is thought he may not return until September.