The Toon have missed out on a player who is now starring for Tottenham and England.
There is no doubting the fact that Dele Alli has been a revelation for Tottenham Hotspur this season. Spurs signed him from Milton Keynes Dons in January for a fee reported by the BBC to be worth around £5 million.
They sent the midfielder back on loan to the stadium:mk and he shone as the club pulled off a late surge to Premier League promotion.
He has progressed rapidly since. Alli is now a regular in the Tottenham starting XI and also a member of the England senior squad ahead of the European Championships in France next summer.
Alli is looking like a success story for Tottenham.
But he could have been Newcastle’s.
It is well known that Newcastle United were also scouting the talented midfielder, as were a host of teams, before his Spurs switch.
Now The Chronicle are reporting that it was his £5 million asking price that put Newcastle off the player.
Looking back now that fee seems a snip for a player who looks to have the world at his feet and Newcastle must be kicking themselves for not making a move for the player sooner.
Now he is with Tottenham and thriving whilst Newcastle languish at the wrong end of the table.
What could have been.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
