West Ham United could be weighing up a £6m summer move for Southampton attacker Rickie Lambert, The Sun reports.

The 31 year-old is making an impact on his first Premier League season and could move to Upton Park at the end of the season.

The Hammers’ interest in the 2011-12 Championship Player of the Year arise after reports indicate the club will not look to secure a permanent deal for Liverpool's on-loan striker Andy Carroll.

It is understood the Londoners would have to pay a £17m transfer fee, along with wages in excess of £84k a week in order to keep the England international at Upton Park; the kind of numbers that could hardly be justified given his performance shown to date.

The former Bristol Rovers striker, on the other hand, is completing an outstanding season, keeping alive Southampton’s hopes to maintain their top flight status with 12 goals in 24 games.

Lambert, who recently scored his 100^th goal for Southampton, is proving vital to Mauricio Pochettino’s side as he has netted a 32.5% of the league goals the team has scored.

However, it remains to be seen whether Southampton survival within the Premier League will prove a decisive factor for the club to retain its prolific striker.

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