Tottenham move for Liverpool's Andy Carroll is ruled out by red tape regulations

Tottenham will be forced to switch their attentions to another striker in January - as red tape will stop them signing Andy Carroll from Liverpool.

Reports on Tuesday claimed Andre Villas-Boas had been monitoring the forward's form at West Ham and was considering a move for the England striker in January, but that will not happen as he is not allowed to play for more than two Premier League clubs in one season.

There is uncertainty surrounding the long-term future of Emmanuel Adebayor at White Hart
Lane, while Jermain Defoe stormed straight down the tunnel after being taken off during the 1-0 home defeat against Wigan last Saturday.

Villas-Boas is keen to bring another big name forward to the club and was reported to be making Carroll one of his number one targets.

The 23-year-old is currently on loan at West Ham from Liverpool with the option of a permanent £17million deal next summer.

But Tottenham would have to wait until the end of the season before they can consider any bid for Carroll as he played in the Premier League for parent club Liverpool at the start of the campaign.