West Ham United striker Andy Carroll is reportedly in talks with Newcastle United over a return to St James' Park this month.

The Hammers are said to be interested in striking a swap deal with Newcastle that would see Jonjo Shelvey head the opposite way.

According to West Ham insider @ExWHUEmployee, the Londoners are in the early stages of negotiations with their Premier League rivals, despite Manuel Pellegrini stating earlier this week that it is unlikely Carroll will be sold in the January window.

The prospect of bringing Shelvey to the London Stadium could entice West Ham to offload the injury-prone striker, however, with another three-and-a-half weeks left for top-flight clubs to conduct business.

The source tweeted: "I heard yesterday we were trying to do a swap deal with Jonjo Shelvey from someone at the ground.

"I think it's something his agent has proposed. With [West Ham] paying some money as well but I think it's merely a suggestion rather than anything concrete at this point."

Carroll, who has started just one Premier League game for the Irons this season, spent the first five years of his senior career at boyhood side Newcastle.