Newcastle Call for Former Star to Come Home - Report

Newcastle United have tabled a £12m bid to sign Liverpool's England striker Andy Carroll after the former Magpies' man refused a move to West Ham United. Carroll signed for the Reds in a record £35m transfer in last year.

Alan Pardew's side, who beat Spurs 2-1 in the opening round of Premier League fixtures, believe their offer to be in accordance with Carroll's present market value despite the huge loss the Anfield club stand to suffer should the deal go through. Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is reportedly insistent Liverpool accept they overpaid for the striker's services.

Carroll's future at Liverpool has been in doubt since the appointment of Brendan Rodgers as manager. The player has been warned he will not be a first choice pick at the club because he does not fit into Rodgers' style of play.

Johnson Attracts Interest

Meanwhile, the Reds are believed to be in pole position to sign Manchester City midfielder Adam Johnson, after the English international stressed he wants to leave the Etihad if not afforded more first team football. However, there is also interest from Spurs and Sunderland. The Daily Mail adds Everton to that list, stating the Toffees may actually have first refusal on the player.

City manager Roberto Mancini has admitted that while he would be sorry to see his player leave, he would not stand in his way. The Italian accepted the fact players his age needed to play more but that was not always possible when playing for a top club like City.

"Adam can have a future here but you should also understand when you are 23 or 24 years old, you want to play. If you are at a top team, you can't always do that, so if he wants to, he has to leave. If we can find a good solution, maybe it is better. But if that happens I will be so sorry because Adam is a good guy. He is a different player to the other strikers and wingers and maybe he could be important for us," the former Lazio manager explained in another Daily Mail report.