Anfield club insists £17 million price tag is not negotiable.
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Liverpool have dashed Newcastle United’s hopes of bringing Andy Carroll back to St. James’ Park according to The Mirror.
The England striker move to Liverpool from Newcastle for £35 million in the 2011 January transfer window but has failed to make much of an impact on the first team.
Carroll was deemed surplus to requirements once Brendan Rodgers arrived as manager with the former Swansea boss believing Carroll unable to fit in with his vision of high energy, passing football.
That saw Carroll join Sam Allardyce’s men at West Ham on a season long loan deal but while Carroll has been in good form for the Hammers recently, the East London club are unlikely to be able to afford the hitman’s transfer fee.
Liverpool are remaining firm in their demands for £17 million for Carroll’s signature and Newcastle have been told they will have to stump up the cash if they want the striker to return to the club.
Brendan Rodgers is ready to play hardball over Carroll after being told by the Liverpool hierarchy he will have just £20 million to spend on new recruits this summer.
Rodgers is keen to recoup as much as possible for Carroll as he looks to bring in new targets. Reports in recent days had suggested that Carroll could be part of a swap deal involving Hatem Ben Arfa but Liverpool have poured cold water on the speculation.