Carroll in 'come and get me' plea to Newcastle
Liverpool striker wants Tyneside return
Newcastle United have had an audacious loan bid for their former number nine, Andy Carroll, turned down.
The striker moved to Liverpool 18 months ago, but is yet to find his feet, having netted only 6 times in 42 appearances. However, his spell on Merseyside could come to an end before the season Kicks off on 18th August. After Red’s boss, Brendan Rodgers, revealed that Carroll didn’t feature in his plans, speculation has been rife over the 6’ 4” forward’s future, being linked with numerous Premier League clubs, as well as a move abroad with AC Milan as potential suitors. The 23-year-old will join the rest of the Liverpool squad in Toronto on Wednesday to take part in the club’s pre-season tour. Carroll, himself, admitted over the weekend that he would like to remain with Liverpool, but has said that he would reluctantly accept a loan move away from Anfield. With other clubs such as West Ham, Aston Villa, Newcastle United and AC Milan all showing an interest in the former Magpie, he is not short of offers if a temporary move was a necessity. However, after the first concrete offer for the services of Carroll was made by Newcastle United, Liverpool have revealed that they are only willing to let Carroll go on a permanent basis. Although this means taking a massive hit on the £35 million they paid the Tyneside club 18 months ago, it would allow Rodgers to bring in other players in departments that are much more needed. Having already signed Fabio Borini last week, Rodgers will look to strengthen his midfield and would use any money generated from the sale of Carroll on much needed reinforcements, with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott a surprise target. As for Carroll, it is understood that Newcastle are top return with a more substantial offer for a permanent move. The original offer sent to Liverpool chiefs involved a season-long loan and a fee of £12 million to be paid at the end of his loan spell, should they want to retain his services beyond that point. Mike Ashley and Derek Llambias are set for talks this week to identify their main transfer targets after failing in their pursuit of FC Twente striker Luuk De Jong. These talks will inevitably include the name of Andy Carroll and a chance of returning with a £15 million offer. With clear uncertainty surrounding the future of the UK’s most expensive player of all time, it is essential that all the right decisions are made by both Newcastle and Liverpool’s boards and the player himself. Liverpool After agreeing to sell Fernando Torres to Chelsea for £50 million, Liverpool had to bring a new number nine in, and this was in the form if the aforementioned Andy Carroll. The Merseyside club paid £35 million to acquire the services of Carroll, but 18 months down the line, they are looking to sell the striker. Then manager, Kenny Dalglish, reiterated his desire throughout the winter transfer window to keep the player that he had brought in, but since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers, Carroll’s time with Liverpool looks increasingly limited. With Carroll earning £80,000 per week, the player’s departure means Rodgers could bring in two players that would help enhance the current Liverpool squad, as well as using the potential fee to build the squad and pursue main targets. These are thought to include Swansea’s Joe Allen and Scott Sinclair, as well as Arsenal’s Theo Walcott. If Carroll was to leave, the fee Liverpool would receive would be only a fraction of what they paid for him. Should £20 million be offered, it is almost certain that Liverpool would accept an offer of that sum. Newcastle Having received £35 million for Carroll last January, Newcastle have rebuilt their squad, from their youth team all the way to their first team. With Liverpool opening the chequebook without caution, the Magpies went down the other route, sticking to their blue print and transfer policy which involves signing players that are 26 years of age or under and those that do not demand wages in excess of £45,000. This policy has seen the Tyneside club revel in success, both on the pitch, and off it. The club finished 5th in the Barclays Premier League last term, and are operating at a profit. Although they already have a number nine in the shape of Papiss Cissé, Newcastle know that they must sign a striker during this transfer window with uncertainty over the future of their own player, Demba Ba, as well as the fact that the two players could, potentially, spend six weeks away from the club in the African Cup of Nations. The Newcastle board will not pay over the odds for Carroll, and if a deal cannot be brokered, they will look elsewhere. They have already missed out on Twente’s Luuk De Jong, while a deal for Lille’s France International full-back, Mathieu Debuchy, is yet to be finalised. Newcastle are expected to return with a £15 million offer for Carroll in the coming weeks, but would the striker be welcomed back on Tyneside? 55% of Newcastle fans would welcome the big forward back, while 45% of supporters would prefer their club look elsewhere. (Statistics courtesy of www.nufcfans.co.uk). Carroll left the club 18 months ago after demanding better terms on his contract, that he had renewed only 2 months prior to his transfer. With Ashley having been offered £35 million and not giving into to Carroll’s demands, a transfer request was handed in and Carroll completed his lucrative move to Liverpool. It should not be forgotten, however, that, although football no longer has any loyalty in the form of its players, that Carroll still loves Newcastle United. The club nurtured him through their youth team, reserves, and culminated in the donning of the much coveted number nine shirt. Newcastle’s initial offer of a loan deal was used as a means of testing the water, but at the same time, used to manipulate Carroll’s emotions and force him to issue a come and get me plea to his former club. Should this tactic work from the Newcastle board, then they are hopeful that the player will force a deal through on his side of the deal. The reception he received on his return to St James’ Park was one that upset him deeply. He was booed from the first whistle to the last, and was at the centre of controversy when he was booked for diving when scoring looked the easiest option. In conclusion, Carroll must understand that he will have to earn the respect of Newcastle fans. However, should he bag a hat-trick in his first game for the club, with the fickle nature of every football fan on the planet, all will be forgotten. The Player himself After demanding increased terms on his contract at Newcastle, Ashley said no and sold the player. Carroll handed a transfer request in and found himself joining Liverpool on the last day of the transfer window. The forward visits Newcastle on a regular basis to see friends and family and remains an avid supporter of the club that he once played for. Carroll has told his representatives that he wants to return to the North East after a loan bid was rejected by Liverpool. £15 million could be enough to acquire the player, but he would not be guaranteed first team football, even at Newcastle. Demba Ba and Papiss Cissé have become fan favourites and are the clubs first choice strikers. However, Carroll would become the main striker, should the Senegalese pair depart for the African Cup of Nations. Carroll will have to look at the situation closely and come to a decision himself. Sometimes people listen to their heart over their head, and should that be the case, a return to Tyneside should certainly be at the top of the Gateshead-born strikers desires. Should Newcastle return with a £15 million offer, Carroll would have to take a substantial wage drop in order to seal a move (almost half of his current salary). However, should his love for the club shine through, he will accept terms and complete a sensational return to St James’ Park. |
