Andy Carroll is willing to accept another “pay-as-you-play” deal if it allows him to stay at Newcastle United for at least another season, according to The Northern Echo.
With the 31-year-old set to become a free agent on June 30th as things stand, he’s expected to sign a short-term extension until the end of the season in a meeting this week, however his future moving forward must also be addressed.
The Northern Echo claim his current salary makes him one of the club’s lowest earners when he doesn’t play, but it’s understood his pay goes up significantly via appearance and goal-based incentives. And they report that he’s happy to continue under the same arrangement should it secure him another year at St James’ Park.
Considering he’s not featured since January and only made a handful of starts since completing a nostalgic return to NUFC last summer, this seems like his only hope of staying – although his time on Tyneside could be completely out of his or Steve Bruce’s hands should new owners arrive.
Personally, I’d like to see him stay based on the experience he offers off the pitch combined with his ability to change games and offer a physical presence from the bench, however he may have to prove his fitness over the final two months of the 2019/20 season to convince any owner he’s worth even a pay as you play salary.
After all, the Matty Longstaff saga has proven there’s often no room for sentiment in the football business.
His four assists and contributions from the bench have been key on occasions, but we’ll have to hope he can notch his first goal since returning over the final 9 games of the season – especially if this is to be his last season at St James’ Park.
