Newcastle United have lacked a focal point to their attack for many seasons now. Ayoze Perez and Dwight Gayle are just too lightweight to form an effective partnership up top for the Magpies. Joselu has not performed the role of a target man effectively at all, and the Tyneside club need better options going forward if they are to push on.
The St James Park outfit have had a loan bid for the West Bromwich Albion front man rejected.
Rafa Benitez worked wonders last season, delivering a 10th placed Premier League finish. Chairman Mike Ashley cannot afford to rest on his laurels if he wants Newcastle United to match this achievement next season. The only money the club have spent so far this transfer window is £4m for stopper Martin Dubravka. With the vast majority of Premier League clubs heavily strengthening in this window, the lack of activity will surely be a worry to fans of the Magpies.
Andy Carroll (valued at £9m by Transfermarkt) has had a difficult path since he left St James Park way back in 2011. His £35m move to Liverpool was a certified flop, and he has suffered with injury problems in his time in East London with West Ham United. However, he is a real handful for any Premier League defence, and consistently starting games could be the trigger that gets Carroll’s career well and truly back on track. Rather than being used as a ‘Plan B’ option, coming on when the going gets tough to add an aerial presence up top, Carroll would benefit from regular first team football again. There would be no better place to assert himself again than his hometown club.
Carroll has not been prolific in terms of goals in any of his seasons with West Ham. However, he has been hampered by injury problems and is often used as an impact substitute rather than a starter. He still makes an impact season after season with his exemplary hold up play and ability in the air. No Premier League defenders like dealing with a big, strong 6ft 4 target man like Carroll, who will fight for every ball and chase down lost causes.
Considering the imports which have arrived at the London Stadium, Andy Carroll would face another season of being in the background at the London Stadium. Once sold for £35m, he has the ability to be a main man. Andy Carroll is rumoured to have been linked with a loan deal to Fenerbahce, suggesting the East London club are willing to let the 29-year-old go.
Newcastle’s top half finish last season was based more on a solid defence than any real fire power going forward. Bringing in a player like Andy Carroll would add a new dimension to Newcastle’s play. Whilst he probably wouldn’t score lots of goals, he would be a perfect player to partner Ayoze Perez or Dwight Gayle, as he would bring them into the game, rather than the strikers having to survive off scraps. He would create the opportunities for Gayle and Perez to become much more prolific, and Newcastle would score more goals with Carroll in their team than they did last season.
A move back to Newcastle United would surely suit both player and club. The Tyneside club would not have to spend crazy money to bring in their former frontman, and he would be a much better option than recently relegated Solomon Rondon. The Magpies should do everything to make this deal happen.