Newcastle Transfer News: Andy Carroll "Longing" For Magpies Return

Newcastle United could soon be reunited with a familiar face - as the regular rumours linking Andy Carroll with a return to Tyneside resurface during yet another transfer window. The Sun claim the 6ft 4ins West Ham United forward is desperate to return to the North East after four-and-a-half years away from his boyhood club - and that the 26-year-old will look to push through a move this summer. Gateshead-born Carroll rose up through the Magpies ranks, scoring 33 goals in 91 appearances for Newcastle - including 19 during the 2009-10 Championship-winning season and 11 following promotion back to the Premier League.

However, he left hastily under a cloud when Liverpool paid a staggering £35 million for his services in January 2011. The transfer to the Anfield outfit did not work out though, and he moved to West Ham United - initially on loan during the 2012-13 season - before signing permanently for the east Londoners for £15 million. The nine-cap England forward has netted 14 goals in 54 appearances for the Hammers since, having been blighted by injuries during his time in London.

Yet Carroll grew up supporting Newcastle and he has loved the club since he was a boy, but being booed on his return visits to St James' Park since have been in his own words "painful". There have also been claims that the powerful centre-forward has turned down the opportunity to return to the North East on a couple of occasions, although these have never been proven. And now The Sun claim Carroll is keen to agitate for a move back to Newcastle this summer - although that is a story that is peddled out every transfer window, so it will be interesting to see if there is any truth in it at all. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCultureNUFC on Twitter and Facebook.