Carson hits out at £10m price tag

Scott Carson believes Liverpool are asking “stupid money” if they demand £10m for him.

The 22-year-old keeper, who spent the season on loan at Villa, also hinted he will quit Anfield this summer if he remains second choice.

Villa retain first option on his services. The club have already splashed out around £1.7m in loan fees for the season and, like boss Martin O’Neill, Carson believes £10m is too much.

“It’s too much. It’s stupid money really,” said Carson. “You pay £10m for a goalkeeper who is 27, 28 and the finished article.

“I’m far from the finished article. I’ve got another five years of learning.

“I don’t think Liverpool are stupid. They know what I’m worth. They would have recouped what they paid for me in loan fees over the last couple of years. So hopefully they can help me out.”

Carson admits he may have to quit Anfield to get senior action.

“Liverpool have a great keeper in Pepe Reina and he’s going to take a lot of shifting,” added Carson.

“It might be time for me to move but I don’t know if anyone will agree a fee with Liverpool.

“I’ve played football for the last two seasons and I don’t think I’ll be content sitting on the bench.”

n Villa are monitoring Villarreal’s on-loan midfielder Sebastian Eguren.

The 27-year-old Uruguayan international, who is on loan with the Spanish club from Swedish outfit Hammarby IF, served a six-month ban after testing positive for cocaine in 2004.