Newcastle United: Top five all-time transfer deadline day misses
By Roy Emanuel
Michael Owen (2005)
Nothing quite brings pressure like being a club’s record signing, and the spotlight can be intense even for the best of footballers. Deadline day in 2005 saw that scenario begin for Newcastle United when they added Michael Owen to the squad.
The £17 million fee paid to Real Madrid still stands as the most for an incoming player at St. James’ Park. Owen certainly garnered great attention and had moments of brilliance during his four seasons on Tyneside, but injuries never let him build what he wanted to start.
His performances at a young age in the 1998 FIFA World Cup and for Liverpool were world-class, but fitness and drama seemed to follow him like a dark cloud.
Transfer speculation away from Newcastle angered fans, and battles between the club and the FA over his involvement with the English national team were seemingly unyielding.
Managerial changes did not help either, and Owen eventually moved on to Manchester United in 2009. The young superstar never truly saw his form return after leaving Merseyside for Real Madrid, a spell in Spain that was simply a disaster.
While his signing with the Magpies was full of excitement, it never did make the impact that it was meant to.
Will Newcastle United ever surpass Michael Owen’s record transfer number? Time will tell, but hopefully when that day comes it will produce a greater outcome for all involved.