Andy Carroll made his name at Newcastle United and is synonymous with the club and after eight years away from the club he could be set for a January return up north.
It's funny how some players become so synonymous with one club. Wayne Rooney was at Everton for barely any time but you'd almost consider him an icon at the club. Ander Herrera's played 177 games for Manchester United but he's hardly synonymous with the club.
The same phenomena can be said of Andy Carroll. The 29 year old spent just five years at Newcastle United, ammassing only 91 appearances for the Magpies, but he is still linked to the club at every turn.
Pretty much ever since he left Newcastle for Liverpool, to become Fernando Torres' £35 million replacement, there's been rumours of his return to the north east.
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Once again Carroll has had his injury problems this season and has managed just 248 minutes of football for West Ham, with just one start, but again that's not stopping links with a move back 'home.'
With his contract up at the end of the season Carroll could leave in the summer for free but the Express report that he could leave in January with a swap deal with Jonjo Shelvey being mooted.
West Ham insider ExWHUemploye tweeted about the possible deal, saying, "I think it's something his agent has proposed. With us (West Ham) paying some money as well but I think it's merely a suggestion rather than anything concrete at this point."
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The deal would work for both clubs. For West Ham they'd get something from a player who will be free to leave at the end of the season on a free and at Newcastle Shelvey has fallen down the pecking order somewhat.
Recently manager Manuel Pellegrini did rule out a move for Carroll saying, "I don't think so. I think Andy will stay here with us, he is an important player for our team.
"He is just coming back from a long, long injury, and the way he is taking advantage of his minutes he will return to the player that we all know."
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Will Carroll return as the prodigal son and finally earn his reputation as a Newcastle United player?
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