Carroll had been in turmoil for some time and there were suggestions that United might be willing to sell, if the price was right.

I was repeatedly told that Carroll, despite Liverpool's interest, would NOT ever be sold.
On deadline day, the club sent the same message and Carroll arrived at the Magpies to train
After a successful start in the Premier League, Carroll approached Pardew to inquire about a new deal. He had 11 goals and was a England call-up.

Geordie had the right to request better terms.

It's clear that Carroll's agent Mark Curtis at the time, was looking into options for his client.

But Alan Pardew was not done. Carroll was told that he wouldn't be getting an improved deal. The Reds then offered Carroll a PS30million.

Mike Ashley's private helicopter had appeared on the lush green surfaces of Benton.
Carroll later told me : "The owner then made it clear to me that I was not wanted at the club. He said that his helicopter was waiting for me to come down to speak to them.

Within hours Carroll was a Liverpool player. This happened on a day when the club had issued a clear "not for sale” message.

This experience taught me a lot about the industry and how things don't always turn out as expected.

Agents will push for players, but a player is never "not available" and a player cannot be guaranteed to remain loyal to one club.

giving me the exclusive inside story for ChronicleLive the next day - much to the fury of the club and Pardew who tried to counter the interview with his own version of events.

Carroll's words were just too strong. He'd been effectively pushed, and although it was a good deal, it did not make him rich. There was an argument that he would've signed a new contract if it had been presented to him.

Amazingly, the drama did not end there.

After Mike Ashley's helicopter took off, Newcastle attempted to sign Diego Forlan from South America.

Atletico Madrid paid PS14million for the fee, but the deal was canceled when Forlan demanded what I called "astronomical" wages.

Kuqi was astonished by his luck. He didn't score on Tyneside but he enjoyed every minute of it.

Fast forward to August 2019 and I got a call very early to find out that Carroll was returning to Newcastle on the deadline day following his release by West Ham.

It was a day that required real focus to understand the story.

Carroll's close friends were giving hints about where he might be, and when he would arrive in NE1.

A rumour that he would arrive near the Sir Bobby Robson statue convinced some journalists to sell a dummy. It might be something else, I was told.

A photographer and I met at the Leazes End in St. James Park. Carroll arrived in a friend’s car.