Black Cats boss Sam Allardyce worked with Carroll at West Ham United and the pair have been linked with a New Year reunion as Allardyce looks to bolster his squad.
Why would he join relegated threatened Sunderland, when West Ham are making a realistic challenge for the European Champions League?
Plus, the former Newcastle United striker has often made digs at the Mackems on Twitter.
Last season he posted: "Big Geordie Boy laughs at Sunderland’s heavy defeat to Leicester City", just one of several jibes he has made.