By Ryan Benson
15 Mar 2011 23:57:00
Andy Carroll, Liverpool
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Former Wigan Athletic manager Steve Bruce has claimed that he almost signed Andy Carroll for the Latics, but admitted they couldn’t put up the funds to match the £4.5 million asking price.
Bruce, now in charge of Sunderland, claimed he called Newcastle immediately after Carroll scored against his then Wigan side and was quoted the £4.5m fee.
Carroll, who recently joined Liverpool from Newcastle for a sum nearly eight times what Wigan were quoted for, is likely to make his full Premier League debut for the Reds on Sunday against Sunderland.
Speaking to reporters, Bruce made no secret that he would rather the hitman didn’t play, particularly if on form: “It will present a challenge both to him and to us. I just hope his niggle lasts a little longer.
“He is a throwback to the good old days when I used to play against the likes of Joe Jordan, the old British No.9.
“He is like Duncan Ferguson at his best. The great thing about Andy is he can jump, he has this great balance which allows him to jump and compete.
“When I was Wigan manager, he came on against us and scored with 10 minutes to go. I rang Newcastle on the Monday morning and they quoted me £4.5m. I seriously thought about it but in the end, we could only go to £2.5m.”