Alan Pardew claims Andy Carroll wanted to leave Newcastle for Liverpool

02 February 2011 01:24
The fall-out after Andy Carroll's departure from Newcastle has descended into a war of words between the ?35million Liverpool forward and Toon boss Alan Pardew.[LNB]Carroll maintains he was forced out of St James' Park by owner Mike Ashley, managing director Derek Llambias and Pardew following Liverpool's incredible bid for the England striker on Monday.[LNB]Pardew claimed the 21-year-old wanted to quit Tyneside after his pleas for a new contract were rejected.[LNB] War of words: Carroll claims he was forced to leave Newcastle for Anfield[LNB]The Newcastle boss said: 'Some of the things he said, he's slightly misguided. We certainly didn't twist his arm to put in the request or get on the helicopter. He had a five-year contract, we said we would renew it in the summer.[LNB] 'He wanted to renew it straight away. He indicated to me in my room that he wanted a new deal, and if he couldn't get that new deal he wanted the option of talking to Liverpool. [LNB]'I said, 'You need to put that in writing', and he did and that's it. We have not tried to sell Andy Carroll.[LNB]'When I was asked, he was not for sale. But when you get a player who is the commodity that he is, you are going to get the big, big clubs involved with him and his representatives. Unfortunately for us, that has happened. [LNB]'We knocked back so many bids for him and I was adamant he wasn't going to go until extraordinary circumstances came along. [LNB]'When I first heard the bid from Liverpool at 8am, a substantial bid, my advice was to turn it down. But the figure is a record for a British player, a 21-year-old who has done six months in the Premier League.'[LNB]Denial: Alan Pardew claims Carroll could have stayed on Tyneside[LNB]Carroll, who Pardew revealed is out for at least a month with a thigh problem, insists he was forced to put in a transfer request and 'pushed out'. [LNB]He said: 'I was in talks about a new contract with the gaffer. He told me they were now not going to give me a contract. That was as soon as the offer of ?30million came in.[LNB]'I asked why and he said his hands were tied. He said it wasn't up to him and then I was allowed to talk to Liverpool. The owner made it clear to me that I was not wanted, saying that his own helicopter was waiting for me to go down to talk to them.[LNB]'Derek asked me to hand in a transfer request. I had no choice.[LNB]'I'm gutted that I wasn't wanted at my home team. I didn't want to leave at all.'[LNB]Pardew reassured Newcastle fans that the ?35m would be re-invested in players. [LNB]'That is Andy's legacy to the team,' he said. [LNB]'I told Mike, 'Look, if that boy is going, this money has to be reinvested in the team. All of it'. And he assured me of that.[LNB]'It could not be used on Monday night. It would have been paying an inflated price for a lesser product than Andy Carroll.'[LNB]  Carroll completes ?35m Liverpool move and then claims: I was forced out of Newcastle Dalglish: Liverpool was the only club for our new ?35m striker CarrollAll the latest Liverpool news, features and opinionAll the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion[LNB] [LNB]  Explore more:People: Mike Ashley, Derek Llambias, Andy Carroll Places: Newcastle, Liverpool, United Kingdom

Source: Daily_Mail