Newcastle Wants to Buy Back Liverpool’s Andy Carroll at Discount: Roundup

The following is a roundup of soccer stories from U.K. newspapers, with clickable links to the Web.

Carroll’s Return?

Newcastle is ready to buy back striker Andy Carroll for 10 million pounds ($15.5 million), 25 million pounds less than the player was sold to Liverpool for 12 months ago, the Sun said.

Newcastle has already rejected two offers to buy the 23- year-old, one for 20 million pounds and one asking for 15 million pounds plus add-ons, the newspaper said.

Carroll has scored 6 goals in 31 games since his move to Liverpool, which made him the most expensive English soccer player. Newcastle would require the northeast England native to reduce his 90,000 pounds a week salary as part of any deal, the Sun said.

Drogba Deal?

New Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes wants to make Chelsea striker Didier Drobga his first signing to help his west London club stay in the Premier League, the Daily Star said.

He is also looking to make offers for Tottenham’s Jermain Defoe, Fulham’s Andy Johnson, Manchester City’s Wayne Bridge and Brazilian striker Henrique, the newspaper said.

Battle for Teen

Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City are fighting over the signing of 16-year-old Southampton left-back Luke Shaw, who is valued at 4 million pounds despite not having played for the first team yet, the Independent said.

Scouts from several teams are likely to watch the England Under-17s player in an F.A. youth Cup match against Bolton tonight, the newspaper said.

Arsenal may have an advantage in the race, having already bought Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain from Southampton, the Independent said.

Milan’s Plans

Inter Milan president Massimo Moratti said his club remains interested in signing Carlos Tevez from Manchester City, the Evening Standard said.

Tevez, who fell out of favor with City after leaving the club without permission in November, is willing to move to Italy, the newspaper said. Moratti said “there’s room to act” to acquire the Argentine in this month’s transfer window, the Standard said.

Mancini’s Apology

Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini criticized Liverpool’s handling of the case against Luis Suarez, who was banned for 8 games following accusations he racially abused Manchester United defender Patrice Evra, the Guardian said.

The City manager said Suarez should have apologized earlier, although he said he didn’t believe the Liverpool player was a racist, the newspaper said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Christopher Elser in London at celser@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Christopher Elser in London at celser@bloomberg.net