Player makes it clear he wasn’t bothered by Tottenham and Liverpool offers being rejected – Then late twist sent him to Reds

Andy Carroll, the 35-year-old striker currently playing for Bordeaux, has opened up about his career and the early offers he received from top clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham. Carroll, who rose through the ranks at Newcastle United, has made it clear that he was never bothered when his potential moves to these clubs fell through early in his career. He was content at Newcastle and had no desire to leave, but a dramatic turn of events led to his eventual transfer to Liverpool in 2011.

Carroll’s journey in English football began at Newcastle, where he came through the club’s youth academy. He quickly became one of the brightest young prospects in English football, known for his powerful playing style and aerial ability. A traditional, strong center-forward, Carroll was often compared to the old-school strikers who dominated English football in previous generations. He gained attention not just for his ability to score goals, but also for the physicality and directness he brought to the forward line.

During his early years at Newcastle, Carroll was more than happy to stay at the club. He had no intention of moving, and he openly admitted in interviews that he felt a strong connection to the club and would have been content to spend his whole career there. His commitment to Newcastle was clear, and he even expected to sign a new long-term contract to extend his stay. However, things didn’t go as planned.

In January 2011, just before the transfer window closed, Carroll was suddenly thrust into the middle of a high-profile transfer saga. Both Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur were keen to sign him, with Liverpool especially desperate to find a replacement for their star striker Fernando Torres, who had made a shocking move to Chelsea for a then-British record fee. Carroll found himself at the center of a bidding war, with both clubs making offers to Newcastle. Despite the interest from these two Premier League giants, Carroll insists that he wasn’t overly concerned about the situation. In fact, he claims that he wasn’t even particularly excited about the idea of moving.

Carroll recounted the moment when the transfer rumors first intensified. He was in the gym at Newcastle, warming up with the other players after a match, when he saw a report on Sky Sports announcing that both Liverpool and Tottenham had seen their offers for him rejected. His reaction was one of indifference. He recalls telling his teammates that he had no plans to leave Newcastle and that he was about to sign a new long-term contract. He was fully focused on his current situation at the club and had no desire to move, despite the high-profile offers on the table.

However, just as he had expected to continue at Newcastle, things took a sudden turn. After speaking with manager Alan Pardew, Carroll learned that the situation had changed. The next day, it was announced that Liverpool had made a new, accepted offer for him, and the deal was close to being finalized. Carroll was told that the helicopter was ready to take him to Liverpool, and within hours, his future had completely shifted.

Despite his initial reluctance, Carroll ultimately made the move to Anfield in a €41 million deal. The transfer was part of a frantic final day of the January transfer window, with Liverpool scrambling to find a replacement for Torres. While Luis Suarez, who also joined Liverpool that day, would go on to have a highly successful career at the club, Carroll’s time at Liverpool was less successful. Injuries and inconsistent form limited his impact, and he eventually moved on from the club.

Looking back, Carroll reflects on the surprise move to Liverpool and the way his career developed after that. While he initially had no intention of leaving Newcastle, the late twist in his transfer saga ultimately sent him to one of England’s biggest clubs. Carroll’s experience highlights how quickly things can change in football, with transfers sometimes happening unexpectedly and even against the wishes of the players involved. Despite the challenges and mixed results at Liverpool, Carroll’s career continues to this day, and his time at Newcastle remains a key part of his legacy.