ANFIELD — Liverpool have refused to consider Newcastle’s initial attempt to sign Andy Carroll on a season-long loan, but yesterday the Magpies went back with an improved offer.
Newcastle offered to pay part of striker Carroll’s £80 000-a-week wages, with a view to a permanent deal at a specified price next summer. But the terms fall some way short of Liverpool’s expectations.
The Anfield club rejected the initial offer on Sunday night and Liverpool’s preference is a sale, rather than to loan out the 23-year-old.
Sources close to 23-year-old England striker Carroll, maintain his preferred option is to remain at Anfield to try to prove himself to Rodgers. Liverpool began their pre-season tour of North America yesterday and Carroll, who is currently on an extended holiday after Euro 2012, is due to join up with the squad on July 23.
West Ham co-owner David Gold has also said the Upton Park club would be interested in signing Carroll.
Carroll struggled with Liverpool until belatedly showing form and goals towards the end of last season.
He headed the winner for Liverpool against Blackburn, while also scoring against Everton in an FA Cup semi-final win and the 2-1 loss to Chelsea in the final.
He scored for England at Euro 2012 in a win against Sweden, but he appears to have fallen out of favour at Anfield. Rodgers signed striker Fabio Borini from Roma earlier last week in his first signing since taking over as Liverpool manager.
