Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says it is unlikely that the club will make another offer to sign Andy Carroll from Liverpool.
The striker moved to Anfield form the Magpies for £35 million in January 2011, but has struggled to make an impact and seemingly fallen out of favour with new manager Brendan Rodgers.
Newcastle have already had one loan bid – with a view to a permanent move – rejected, and now Pardew says there is little chance of Carroll returning to the North East before the transfer window closes on September 1.
“I don’t think so,” he told reporters when asked about the possibility of a fresh approach for Carroll.
“We’re talking more of a younger player who could perhaps take the club forward. We’ve taken two or three younger players this season who have done very well for us.
“It depends if the price is right and everything fits the bill.”
Carroll was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s opening day Premier League defeat to West Brom and was not included in their squad to face Hearts in the Europa League.