Stoke City to lure England Under-21 star Andy Carroll from Newcastle with £5m plus players

Stoke are considering a £5million offer plus players for Newcastle striker Andy Carroll. Manager Tony Pulis is looking for a target man to give his side a greater threat up front next season and has been scouting around Europe.Carroll has been on Pulis's radar for 18 months but the 6ft 5ins Newcastle striker has had a troubled year off the pitch and that has put doubts in the Stoke manager's mind. Trouble man: Carroll has made headlines on and off the pitch this seasonHowever, he is still prepared to take a chance and believes a moveaway from the north east and its distractions would be beneficial tothe player.Pulis wants to tempt Newcastle by offering cash plus some of hisStoke squad in return with Dave Kitson, Liam Lawrence and James Beattiepossible candidates.Out of favour Beattie is also wanted by Blackburn but they arereluctant to pay more than £1m for a player who has one year left onhis contract. Milburn, Supermac, Cole, Shearer. Now Newcastle must find the next No9Newcastle wrap up Championship title as lowly Plymouth are sent downMan Utd v STOKE: Abdoulaye Faye only on bench as Tony Pulis goes unchangedSTOKE CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail