• Premier League

Bruce missed out on Carroll deal

ESPNsoccernet staff
March 16, 2011
Andy Carroll's performances with Newcastle earned him a move to Liverpool © PA Photos
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Steve Bruce has revealed he could have signed Andy Carroll from Newcastle for just £4.5 million when he was in charge of Wigan Athletic.

Carroll, who joined Liverpool in January for £35 million to become the most expensive British player ever, had impressed against Bruce's Latics when coming off the bench in their Boxing Day encounter in 2008.

Bruce was quoted a price of £4.5 million for the then-19-year-old striker, but Wigan could only afford to pay up to £2.5 million.

Bruce said: "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 [sic] with ten 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."

Bruce is set to come up against Carroll again on Sunday with the England international striker likely to make his full debut for Liverpool against Sunderland.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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