Liverpool and West Ham have agreed a £15M transfer price for Andy Carroll even though the player could miss the start of next season.
The reds had wanted £18M, with West Ham suggesting they could only go to £12M. But they found common ground slap in the middle of the pricing bracket.
The price tag will not be affected by confirmation that a heel injury sustained in the final game of the season has led to his exit from the upcoming England squad. He could face up to four months on the sidelines, meaning he will miss the beginning of the 2013-14 campaign.
Andy Carroll is believed to still prefer a move back to Newcastle but the Geordies have cooled in their interest since Alan Pardew's proclamation's of love earlier in the season. Today's national media have suggested there is a clause in Carroll's LFC contract which means Newcastle get 25% of any future transfer price. Therefore they could technically match West Ham's offer by paying just £11.25M to Liverpool.
Whereas others suggest this 25% clause refers to any 'profit' the club make on the £35M signing.
It is now up to the player himself to decide where his future rests.
One thing is clear - Liverpool will not be taking the player back. Rumours of a dressing room incident involving Andy during Kenny Dalglish's reign have gathered pace amongst the Merseyside rumour mill in recent months.
Andy himself was at pains to thank the West Ham fans at the end of the season - highlighting how much he has enjoyed his time with the Hammers.
The next few days could see whether he enjoyed it so much he is ready to make the deal permanent.