When Liverpool paid £35 million for Andy Carroll in 2011, it was a “huge problem” for the Newcastle team that Alan Pardew was managing at the time.
This month, thirteen years ago, the Reds signed the striker from St James’ Park, then a club record (BBC Sport). He arrived at Anfield on the same day that Luis Suarez was signed by Ajax and Fernando Torres left for Chelsea.
The former manager of the Magpies recalled telling Derek Llambias, the club’s managing director at the time, as he boarded a flight from London that £30 million wasn’t enough for the forward. He made this revelation when appearing on talkSPORT’s The January Transfer Window Show.
“I got on the phone to Derek and said ‘I think if you get £35m maybe there’s a discussion’, thinking there’s no way [then-LFC manager] Kenny Dalglish is going to spend £35m on Andy Carroll,” Pardew said, still shocked by Liverpool’s offer that exceeded what they ultimately paid for Carroll.
“I went to training and wandered around; everything was lovely and enjoyable.” We were all taken aback when the bid of £35 million was made. We had a serious issue at the moment since it was the British transfer record. It left us incredibly brevity.”
Carroll ended his career at Anfield with just 11 goals in 58 appearances, never quite living up to his high price (Transfermarkt).
A 22-year-old English striker who had scored 11 goals in 19 Premier League games for Newcastle during the previous half-season was considered to be worth £35 million just 13 years ago (BBC Sport). Just imagine what a player of his calibre would cost this month!
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