Liverpool striker Andy Carroll is being linked with a swap move to Newcastle United.

The Sun says the Reds are willing to let him battle for a place next season - albeit starting behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in the pecking order.

The move gives the 24-year-old England striker hope he can still be a hit on Merseyside.

And it is also a statement from Liverpool to any potential buyers that they are not about to sell the Geordie star on the cheap.

But the likeliest outcome is a return to Newcastle in a part-exchange for midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa