Prominent pundit Danny Mills has questioned Newcastle United’s transfer policy after the Magpies handed Andy Carroll a return to St James’ Park on Deadline Day, as told to Football Insider.
West Ham United released the Toon product at the end of last season, after he saw out the final months of a lucrative £90,000-a-week contract in the Irons’ treatment room following another operation on his ankle.
Carroll spent much of his Hammers career on the physio’s table, with the Gateshead-born target man often resigned to time away from the pitch with a lengthy injury of some kind – so much so that he watched more games from the sidelines than he featured in during his stint in West London.
The 9-cap former England international’s lack of fitness is one key concern Mills has shared, now that United have offered the former most expensive British footballer a contract on Tyneside.
Former Leeds defender Mills also has doubts over why United offered Carroll a contract in the first place, and questioned if it was merely a move to have another man through the door after deals for Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jetro Willems and Emil Krafth.
“A strange move really,” Mills said. “I think Newcastle were just looking to get another number in. I’m pretty sure he’s on a pay-per-play basis, his wages won’t be particularly high.
“If you can get him fit, and keep him fit, he’s a massive asset. He can be a game-changer. Bring him on defensively, obviously [he’s a threat] in the air. Chuck him up front, and he’s still one of the best headers on goal around.
“If you can get him fit and keep him fit, he could be a very cheap asset.”