Newcastle United’s last 10 record signings assessed ahead of Kieran Trippier’s announcement

Newcastle United’s £40 million signing of Joelinton currently stands as the highest fee ever paid out by the Magpies in their long and proud history.

There has been speculation that figure could be surpassed this month as the Magpies head into their first transfer window under the control of ownership of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports and Media.

Speculation surrounding potentially record-breaking moves has been widespread ever since the dramatic October day when the protracted takeover deal was finally completed.

Historic figures such as Hughie Gallagher, Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Shearer has all held the title of the Magpies record signing over the last century and it seems likely that title will be taken by a new name at some point in the near future.

NewcastleWorld takes a look at the last ten players that have commanded record fees when they have moved to Tyneside.

Joelinton - £40million from Hoffenheim

Intrigue rather than excitement followed the announcement that United had broken their transfer record to bring Hoffenheim’s Brazilian forward to Tyneside in the summer of 2019.

Pre-season goals against Hibernian and Saint Etienne raised hopes that the former Brazil youth international would become a key figure under new manager Steve Bruce.

Those hopes were further raised when Joelinton grabbed the only goal of a 1-0 win at Spurs in the opening weeks of the season.

It proved to be something of a false dawn with questions raised over his most effective position in the side and whether he could adapt to life in the Premier League.

After two seasons racked with inconsistency, Joelinton is showing clear signs of an improvement as new United boss Eddie Howe utilises him in a deeper role in midfield.

Miguel Almiron - £20million from Atlanta United

A protracted deal for the Paraguayan international was finally agreed on the same day the Magpies claimed a shock 2-1 home win against Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Then-United boss Rafa Benitez had identified Almiron as a key signing as he looked to add some pace and trickery into his side.

The former Atlanta United star’s enthusiasm and energetic approach to the game saw him fit seamlessly into an attacking trio also containing Salomon Rondon and Ayoze Perez as Benitez’s side finished the season in impressive fashion.

The attacking midfielder continued to be a regular feature under Steve Bruce and will hope to increase his influence on the United side under current manager Eddie Howe.

Michael Owen - £17million from Real Madrid

This was a deal that raised more questions than answers despite the celebratory scenes that met the completion of a club record move for the England star.

Doubts over his motivation for the move and his fitness levels would not disappear despite a promising start to his career on Tyneside.

Owen scored seven goals in nine appearances before a metatarsal injury suffered in a New Year’s Eve defeat limited him to just one more appearance before the end of a campaign.

A more serious injury would followed as Owen’s controversial call-up to England’s World Cup squad in 2006 ended with a ruptured cruciate ligament that would keep him out of action until the closing month of his second season on Tyneside.

After a patchy start to the 2006/07 season, the return of United legend Kevin Keegan saw Owen flourish in a deeper attacking role and he ended the campaign with nine goals in his final 14 games - including scoring both goals in a 2-0 Tyne Wear derby win against Sunderland.

A turbulent final season at St James Park was hampered by off-field issues caused by the controversial ownership then-United owner Mike Ashley ended with relegation into the Championship.

Owen’s departure was bemoaned by nobody and he has remained a much derided figure within the United faithful.

Alan Shearer - £15million from Blackburn Rovers

The most famous sheet metal worker’s son in the world returned to his native North East from Blackburn Rovers for a world record fee as Kevin Keegan’s Newcastle saw off competition from Manchester United to land the England striker.

A £15 million move “home” was secured ahead of the 1996/97 season and thousands of United supporters stood outside St James Park as their local hero was unveiled.

A Charity Shield hammering at the hands of Manchester United and an opening day defeat against Everton got Shearer’s Newcastle career off to a slow start - but the goals soon began to flow.

The striker plundered his way to 28 goals in 40 games in all competitions in his first season - but preparations for the following campaign came to an abrupt end when he suffered a serious ankle injury in a pre-season tournament at Everton’s Goodison Park.

Shearer battled back to fitness to lead United to their first FA Cup Final since 1974 - but a 2-0 defeat against Arsenal ended any hopes of bringing domestic silverware to Tyneside for the first time since 1955.

Another Wembley defeat - this time against treble winners Manchester United - followed 12 months later as Ruud Gullit’s plans at St James Park began to unwind.

Shearer was controversially named as a substitute for the infamous home defeat against Sunderland in the early weeks of the 1999/2000 season - but within 24 hours Gullit was gone and Sir Bobby Robson arrived the rejuvenate Shearer’s career at Gallowgate.

The striker became the first, and as yet only United striker to score five goals in a Premier League game when he achieved that feat in Robson’s home debut against Sheffield Wednesday.

He would go on to fire United into the Champions League and UEFA Cup semi-finals before Robson departed in 2004.

Shearer battled on for a further two seasons and wrote himself into club folklore by surpassing United legend “Wor” Jackie Milburn to become the club’s all-time record goalscorer with 206 goals in 405 appearances.

Tino Asprilla - £7.5million from Parma

The Colombian striker was already a cult figure on Tyneside by the time he arrived in the region on a snowy in February 1996.

Although defensive ballast was required as the Magpies looked to continue their push for a first top flight title since 1927, Kevin Keegan opted for more attacking flair by persuading ‘Tino’ to swap Serie A for the Premier League.

A remarkable debut at Middlesbrough, a two-goal blast at Manchester City and a fine individual display against West Ham United all helped Keegan’s side pick up vital points - but a resurgent Manchester United side would claim the title with a win at Middlesbrough on the final day of the season.

United’s second placed finish came with a consolation prize as they secured qualification for the Champions League for the first time in their history.

Asprilla played a key role in a dramatic 4-3 aggregate win in a qualifying round tie against Croatia Zagreb and the Colombian would enjoy a spectacular introduction into life in the group stages on a remarkable night at Gallowgate.

Spanish giants Barcelona were in town and Tino fired a stunning hat-trick as the Magpies saw off a Barca side containing the likes of Luis Figo, Rivaldo and Luis Enrique.

It would be the pinnacle of Asprilla’s time at St James and he returned to Parma just over three months later - but he remains a popular figure on Tyneside.

Les Ferdinand - £6million from Queens Park Rangers

The man to help United move on from the surprising sale of Andy Cole to Premier League title rivals, Ferdinand looked the part from the minute he was paraded in front of the press on a sunny June day in 1995.

Ferdinand hit the ground running and scored on his debut against Coventry City as Magpies supporters wore those iconic Adidas grandad neck collared shirts on a day when St James Park was baked in sunshine.

The striker went on to find the net 29 times in all competitions as Keegan’s Entertainers narrowly missed out on claiming a top flight title for the first time since 1927.

Ferdinand handed over the number nine shirt to Alan Shearer following his £15 million move in the summer of 1996 and the duo went on to form a devastating partnership during the following season.

Sadly, it would be their only season together as Ferdinand joined Spurs in a £6 million deal after he and Shearer scored a combined 49 goals during the campaign.

His departure has never been fully understood by the Magpies supporters.

Warren Barton - £4million from Wimbledon

The Wimbledon defender had been a long-term target of Kevin Keegan’s before the United boss finally got his man in June 1995.

The energetic right-back was a key member of the Dons squad that caused a number of awkward moments for the Premier League’s top clubs - including Newcastle.

His £4 million move to Tyneside was secured during one of the most exciting summers in the club’s recent history and he made his debut in

Barton’s time as United’s record signing would come to an end within days as his fee was surpassed by the £6 million paid for Les Ferdinand.

But the England international would remain on Tyneside far longer than the striker as he went on to feature under Kenny Dalglish, Ruud Gullit and Sir Bobby Robson.

By the time he had departed for Derby County in 2002, Barton had made over 164 appearances for the Magpies and captained the club on a number of occasions.

He remains popular with the United faithful and threw his support behind the club’s recent takeover during his time working in the media.

Darren Peacock - £2.7million from Queens Park Rangers

It would probably be a contradiction to describe Peacock as Newcastle’s only defensive defender when he joined the club from Premier League rivals Queens Park Rangers in 1994.

Fellow centre-backs Steve Howey and Phillippe Albert were both more than comfortable in the opponents area and Magpies boss Keegan always encouraged his full-backs to join in attacking play at every opportunity.

Peacock would help United secure a third place finish in their first season in the Premier League and remained a key figure in Keegan’s plans as he continued to develop the squad.

The Bristol-born defender remained at St James until a free transfer move to Blackburn Rovers in 1998 and is fondly remembered for scoring a controversial opener in the 5-0 home win against Manchester United.

Ruel Fox - £2.25million from Norwich City

A winger full of pace and trickery, Fox had been an integral figure in a Norwich City side that had surprisingly but unsuccessfully challenged for the Premier League title in 1993.

Fox was also in the Canaries side that famously beat Bayern Munich in a UEFA Cup tie during the following season - but had been persuaded to move to St James Park by the time the campaign had come to a close.

Fox scored two goals in United’s final 14 games of the season as Keegan’s men qualified for the UEFA Cup with a third place finish.

The winger hit double figures during his first full season on Tyneside but the arrival of Keith Gillespie and David Ginola saw his game-time reduced significantly.

Fox eventually departed to join Spurs in a £4.25 deal in October 1995.

Andy Cole - £1.75million from Bristol City

Quite simply, a modern day Newcastle United legend, despite tarnishing his reputation with Magpies supporters with unsavoury chants about the club during his time with Manchester United.

Cole had led the United defence a merry dance when playing against Kevin Keegan’s side for Bristol City in January 1992.

The former Arsenal youngster had become a Magpies player within two months after completing a £1.75 million move to the North East.

Debuting as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat at Swindon Town, Cole introduced himself to the Gallowgate faithful with a stunning turn and finish in a 4-0 home win against Notts County seven days later.

The strike marked the start of an incredible run of 12 goals in 11 games as Keegan’s men claimed the Division One title to return to the top flight after a four-year absence.

Many outside of St James Park suspected the striker would not adapt to life in the Premier League but those doubts were cast aside as he scored an equaliser to earn a first point of the season with a 1-1 draw at champions Manchester United.

The Entertainers were born as the likes of Scott Sellars, Robert Lee and Peter Beardsley provided the ammunition for Cole to fire his way to a record-breaking season.

By the time a third-placed campaign had come to a close, Cole had scored 41 goals in all competitions, surpassing a record jointly-held by clubs legends Hughie Gallagher and George Robledo.

A shin splint issue disputed Cole’s second season in the Premier League but the striker had still found the net on 15 occasions by the time 1995 had arrived.

But the second week of the month saw shockwaves reverberate around Tyneside as Keegan accepted a £7million offer from Manchester United in a deal that saw Keith Gillespie move to the North East.

Cole went on to find success at Old Trafford and is a Premier League goalscoring legend - but it should never be forgotten that his prolific top flight career began in black and white.