Hammers to curb summer spending to £20m as efforts concentrated on Carroll and Diame

West Ham fans looking forward to a summer of lavish spending in the transfer market are likely to be left disappointed, Sports Direct News are reporting today.

Whilst every effort will be made to secure on loan Liverpool striker Andy Carroll on a permanent deal and talismanic midfielder Mohammed Diame on a long term contract with the removal of the niggling release clause, the two players will likely be the club's only purchases of the summer transfer window, with any other signings coming in the form of loan deals.

The Hammers' hierarchy are reportedly keen to keep their noses clean with regard to new Premier League financial regulations and so will impose a £20m ceiling on the spending on transfer fees and wages, according to the newspaper.

Irons boss Sam Allardyce had warned supporters of the need to be economical in the coming months and so this news does not come as any great surprise.

The club are said to be confident, however, of securing Senegal star Diame on a new contract with the clause removed, and will pull out all the stops to sign England man Carroll as well.

By Alex Shilling, News Editor

@alexshilling