The Athletic’s George Caulkin believes Andy Carroll’s second stint at St James’ Park will come to an end this summer if new owners arrive at Newcastle United.
The 31-year-old – whose contract expires at the end of the month – is believed to have been offered a short-term extension to keep him around for the final nine games of the season, however Caulkin doesn’t expect him to be around for much longer should a £300m Saudi-backed takeover receive Premier League approval.
Here’s what he’s had to say on The Athletic’s Pod On The Tyne podcast, explaining why he could be kept if a buyout breaks down or released if Amanda Staveley and the Saudis arrive:
“They want him to stay this season and it’s important they have back up.
“Perhaps Andy Carroll won’t have a huge number of options for him next season (if he was released), but if you don’t offer the incentive of another contract or at least talk about it, then the concern is that Newcastle leave themselves very short.
“If the takeover were to fall through, Steve Bruce would then have to pick up the pieces, but if you’re losing three first-team squad players who are out of contract (Carroll, M Longstaff, Manquillo) then they have to be replaced and that costs money. And if the takeover doesn’t happen, will there be money? So you have all these things going around..
“I don’t think the takeover is going to brake down, but people have to make decisions or start planning – and that’s why this limbo is damaging to everybody, because it doesn’t help.
“If new owners were to come in tomorrow, do I think Andy Carroll will be there next season? No I don’t.”
As he states above, the limbo this latest takeover saga has left us in is starting to take its toll, with Carroll being one of many at the club who don’t know whether they’re coming or going.
Steve Bruce is sat fearing for his future without any word from Ashley, fans are in the dark and praying for good news and some sections of the squad must be half expecting ambitious new owners to move them on should a takeover go through. Not exactly ideal in the midst of a season, making me relieved we’re 8 points clear of the drop zone!
Back to Carroll. It’s been great to see him back in a black and white shirt, but it seems like his know how and experience has been felt more off the pitch than it has on it.
He’s weighed in with four assists and been a handful when fit, but he’s been restricted to late cameo roles more than anything, with his 2020 being marred by a series of niggles he’s struggled to get over in typical Andy Carrol style.
If he proved his fitness over the season then it would be great to see him stay, but could you really blame possible new owners if they released a player who’s only been fit enough to play 11 minutes of football since the turn of the year?
Star? why it when a player is mentioned he is described as a “star. “To have Carroll and star in the same sentence is hysterical. The reason many toon players are unsettled due to the forthcoming take over is that most of them will be moved on.
If you consider the miserable run of results since the 1-0 win at Chelsea, I would be very worried about the drop. However Bruceless has his excuse for any further losses; ” Well we had to play 4 games in 11 days, no time for a rest between games.” If you go by gobsihte Rose it seems playing for Newcastle, under tactician master Bruce, you get plenty of days off during a regular week, unlike many other PL clubs.
LA Toon(Quote)