Newcastle United Reject Improved Andy Carroll Bid?

In a shocking turn of events, Newcastle have rejected an improved bid for Andy Carroll from Liverpool, according to Sky Sports News. This bizarre decision was taken after the Merseyside club had met Newcastle's asking price for the striker with a £35M (plus extras, if you believe the stories) bid, which would have made the 22 year old the seventh most expensive transfer in history. If true, this would mark the second time today that Liverpool have been turned down by Newcastle for Carroll's signature.

It's not really clear how Liverpool will react to this setback, but with Carroll lined up as the heir presumptive to departing Anfield hero Fernando Torres, much of the major activity in the transfer window rests on whether this deal gets done. Newcastle either smell blood in the water and are going to wring every bit of money they can out of Kenny Dalglish and company, are crazy enough to think that Andy Carroll for £35M wouldn't be good piece of business, or are simply playing for time to bring in a replacement striker. Liverpool themselves are insisting that a deal has been agreed:

Carroll is the third highest scorer in the Premier League this season, behind Dimitar Berbatov and Carlos Tevez, but hasn't played a match since December with a thigh injury. The general consensus is that Carroll is worth nowhere near £35M, but Newcastle clearly do not agree.