NEWCASTLE boss Alan Pardew says he wants to take Liverpool’s Andy Carroll back to the North East on a permanent basis next summer.
The Magpies tried to sign their former striker on loan back in the summer but they were only willing to pay half his £80,000 per week wages with a view to a £12million deal.
Liverpool dismissed that as derisory and Carroll was packed off to West Ham on a season-long loan instead.
Carroll, who cost the Reds a British record £35million from Newcastle in January 2011, returns to St James’ Park with the Hammers tomorrow.
“He’s a Liverpool player and not wanted so at some point he’s going to move permanently,” said Pardew.
“I’d like to think we’ll be in the mix for that. We were in there (in the summer) because he brings something different to the table to what we have got and we could probably do with another striker.
“Unfortunately we weren’t able to get it done at board level.”
Pardew believes the “astronomical” fee Liverpool paid Newcastle for Carroll paved the way for the club’s progress over the past 18 months.
The likes of Yohan Cabaye, Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have been recruited since Carroll and 30-year-old Kevin Nolan left the club.
“The position we are in, if I’m honest, is because we used the money from Andy’s sale well,” he added.
“He was a brilliant player for us, but the fee was astronomical. We have used it well and we owe a great debt to him.
“There will be a lot on the game. Kevin will be determined to get a result, as will Andy. Both of those players would be good additions to this squad, but players have to move on for the sake of the team. That’s the Andy Carroll one.
“Kevin was a bit different, he wanted a long contract we wouldn’t commit to, but he got one at West Ham.
“He deserves it because he is a great player, but the board didn’t think the long contract for Kevin was something he would get here.”
