Newcastle have made a sensational approach to Liverpool to bring Andy Carroll back to Tyneside.
Press Association Sport understands the Magpies are keen to secure a season-long loan deal for the man they sold to the Reds for £35million in January last year, with a view to sealing a permanent switch.
The news comes amid speculation that the 23-year-old is not part of manager Brendan Rodgers' long-term plans.
Manager Alan Pardew did not take the opportunity to rule out a possible bid to re-sign the Gateshead-born frontman last week as it emerged that Rodgers might be prepared to allow him to leave Anfield.
West Ham were keen to unite him with former Newcastle team-mate Kevin Nolan following their return to the Barclays Premier League, while AC Milan too were credited with an interest in him.
The Magpies have no immediate need to strengthen their hand in the striking department, although they spent the early part of the summer wooing FC Twente's Luuk de Jong, although they found the asking price too rich.
However, the spectre of the release-clause in Demba Ba's contract makes him vulnerable, at least until the end of this month, although Pardew insisted last week that there had been no contact with any club over any of his key men.
But Ba and Papiss Cisse could be required by Senegal for the African Nations Cup, while Leon Best and Peter Lovenkrands have left the club, so reinforcements will be required at some point.
Carroll's departure for Liverpool sparked a furious reaction in the North East when a man around whom it seemed likely the team would be assembled was allowed to leave. Newcastle had little intention of selling him until the final few hours of the transfer window when the Reds made an offer they simply could not refuse.
However, Rodgers has signalled that his role this season could be peripheral, sparking a frenzy of rumours over what might lie ahead for him. Liverpool would almost certainly have to take a major hit in terms of fee if they were to sell the player, and a loan move seems more likely in the short-term.
Source: PA
