Stewart Downing: West Ham consider move for Liverpool winger

West Ham United are considering a move for Liverpool's England winger Stewart Downing following the £15m deal to bring striker Andy Carroll to Upton Park from Anfield.

Downing has failed to make a major impact after he was signed from Aston Villa by former Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish in a £20m deal in July 2011.

The 28-year-old is one of the options being considered by West Ham manager Sam Allardyce as he ponders how best to utilise Carroll and he may reunite the pair who played together at Anfield.

Carroll was another Dalglish signing, with Liverpool having to take a £20m hit on the £35m they paid Newcastle United in January 2011.

And it is likely Liverpool will have to suffer another substantial loss on the Downing deal if West Ham were to firm up their early interest with a bid.

Downing revealed last December that he had been told by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers that he could leave the club, although he then won his place back in the team.

Liverpool's interest in Sporting Lisbon's £8.5m-rated defender Tiago Llori has cooled because of a vast difference in valuation over the 20-year-old, who has also been linked with Chelsea.