The Premier league footballer Andy Carroll claims Newcastle effectively forced him to join Liverpool because they wanted to cash in on the England striker's 35 million pound ($NZ 73 million) price tag.
Carroll's transfer deadline day switch to Anfield has infuriated Newcastle fans, but the 22-year-old insists he would have stayed given the choice.
Initial reports on Tuesday suggested Carroll had put in a transfer request in an attempt to persuade Newcastle to sell him, but he is adamant he was willing to commit his future to the club, only to be told he had to go because of the size of the fee.
Carroll says Newcastle's managing director Derek Llambias asked him to hand in a transfer request, pushing him into a corner and leaving the long-haired striker no choice.
He says he it was obvious he wasn't wanted by Newcastle and they made it clear they wanted the money.
However, Newcastle manager Alan Pardew insisted Carroll decided to leave after the club ignored his request for an improved new contract.
