West Ham United and Newcastle United were both reportedly tracking the forward in the summer.
The Magpies and the Hammers have both had their problems in the Premier League this season, and they currently sit in the bottom half of the table, with their top flight safety far from assured.
Newcastle and West Ham have both lacked a cutting edge in the final third this term, but it could have been so different.
Calcio Mercato reported last summer that the two Premier League sides were interested in signing Real Sociedad forward Willian Jose, who at the time had a £26 million release clause inserted into his contract.
AS reported that he signed a new deal later on in the summer, however, removing said clause in the process, and Newcastle and West Ham will surely be kicking themselves for baulking at his original price-tag.
The 26-year-old has been on fire for the La Liga side this season, scoring 16 goals in 28 games in all competitions, and the way the transfer market has gone over the past six months, £26 million would have surely been considered great value for money.
Willian Jose has showcased his incredible work-rate and lethal finishing all season long in Spain, and the difference that he could have made to either the Hammers or the Toon is obvious to see.
Both clubs will surely learn from their mistake of not pursuing a move for the Brazilian, and be more assertive if and when they are presented with another opportunity in the transfer market this summer.
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