Andy Carroll and Newcastle were locked in a war of words today over his £35million move to Liverpool with the England striker claiming he was forced out of the club because they wanted to cash in on him.
Carroll and Alan Pardew gave contrasting accounts of yesterday's events to two separate North-East newspapers with the Newcastle boss insisting it was the 22‑year‑old, who decided to go.
The Gateshead-born forward told the Evening Chronicle he had been in talks over an improved contract at St James' Park when it became clear he was no longer wanted.
He said: "[Managing director] Derek Llambias asked me to hand in a transfer request, so I was pushed into a corner and had no choice. I wasn't wanted by them and they made it clear they wanted the money. Then I flew down in [owner Mike Ashley's] helicopter. I didn't want to leave.
"I'm gutted that I wasn't wanted at my home team after everything I have done and the progress I have made. Make sure they [the fans] know I didn't want to leave."
Carroll's comments back up the content of texts he sent to friend and editor of the Toon Talk fanzine, Steve Wraith, as the transfer saga unfolded last night.
But Pardew told the Shields Gazette: "We didn't force anybody to leave. I disagree with that point. He had a contract here for five years, and at some point it would get renewed, but for him to sign in October and it get renewed in January - where would it stop? I'm disappointed. Was this about football? That's what you have to ask. I don't think it was."
