Jean-Alain Boumsong looks on during Newcastle United's game against Charlton on March 26, 2006
Former Newcastle United defender Jean-Alain Boumsong
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Transfers . . . football fans live for them, and when they work they can change everything. There has never been more interest in transfer windows, especially now that Newcastle United finally have the ambition and funds to invest in the squad.
Financial rules have meant the Magpies have not been able to spend as freely as they would have liked, but the addition of players such as Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and yes, Alexander Isak, have been seismic on the squad.
The United fanbase are always ready to welcome a new hero to Tyneside, especially one who embraces the culture and ethos of the club.
But for every Bruno or Botman who have raised the bar, there have been plenty of deals which quickly turned into disasters.
Sometimes it's wrong time, wrong place, with circumstances working against both the club and the player, other times you wonder what they were thinking.
No manager gets it right 100 per cent of the time, but here are some transfer nightmares everyone involved wanted to forget quickly.
Claudio Cacapa
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United clashes with Claudio Cacapa of Newcastle United
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United clashes with Claudio Cacapa of Newcastle United
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When you're taken off after just 18 minutes with your side already 3-1 down, you know it's not going well. Cacapa arrived from Lyon under Sam Allardyce with a great repuation, but was never able to step up to the pace of the Premier League. He only made 29 appearances over two seasons before heading back to his native Brazil. At least he signed on a free.
Jean-Alain Boumsong
Jean-Alain Boumsong signed for Newcastle United in January, 2005
Jean-Alain Boumsong signed for Newcastle United in January, 2005
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United paid £8m to bring the Frenchman south from Glasgow Rangers under Graeme Souness in 2005, and never got a return for their money. He didn't get to grips with the English top flight and he was soon shipped off to Juventus.. He went on to have a very good career, winning 27 caps for France.
Albert Luque
Albert Luque celebrates after scoring for Newcastle United against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on April 17, 2006
Albert Luque celebrates after scoring for Newcastle United against Sunderland
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Not much went right for the Spanish forward who signed for £9m from Deportivo in 2005, with injuries hampering his progress, He was often played wide left, although he did score some memorable goals, not least in the 4-1 win at Sunderland in 2006. His gametime was severely restricted though, and he left for Ajax in 2007.
Xisco
Xisco scores for Newcastle United against Hull City at St James' Park
Xisco scores for Newcastle United against Hull City
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The deal which brought about the end of Kevin Keegan's second coming as Newcastle manager. United signed the Spaniard for £5.7m in 2008, along with Nacho Gonzalez, reportedly without KK's knowledge. While he scored on his debut against Hull City, that would be as good as it got.
Marcelino
Ex-Newcastle defender Marcelino
Ex-Newcastle defender Marcelino
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If ever a player summed up Ruud Gullit's time in charge, it was Spanish centre-back Marcelino. Part of the Real Mallorca side which reached the UEFA Cup Winners Cup final in 1999, he left that summer to join Newcastle for £5.8m. However he looked out of place in the Premier League, and famously missed two months with a snapped tendon in his finger. He would only make 20 appearances before leaving for Poli Ejido.
Christian Bassedas
Christian Bassedas of Newcastle United
Christian Bassedas(Image: Stuart Franklin /Allsport)
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Even the great managers get one wrong every now and again. Much was expected or Argentina Christian Bassedas after a £3.5m deal from Velez Sarsfield under Sir Bobby Robson, but a foot injury in pre-season prevented him from a strong start. He only scored once in his time on Tyneside and was loaned out to Tenerife. He retired aged just 30.
Carl Cort
Carl Cort celebrates with Gary Speed after scoring on his Newcastle United home debut against Derby County at St James' Park on August 23, 2000
Carl Cort celebrates with Gary Speed after scoring on his Newcastle United home debut against Derby County
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Another one from the Sir Bobby era, Cort was expected to help take the goal burden from Alan Shearer after a £7m switch from Wimbledon in 2000. He scored on his home debut, but was plagued by unfortunate injuries and only managed 28 appearances over three season. His return of eight goals wasn't too bad considering his lack of gametime.
Siem de Jong
Former Newcastle United forward Siem de Jong.
Former Newcastle United forward Siem de Jong.
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Ah what could have been. The Dutch playmaker had talent, but was so rarely able to make it on to the pitch, that no one on Tyneside every really saw what he could do. A star with Ajax, De Jong was named vice-captain after a £6m move in 2014, but a series of injuries - including an unfortunate eye issue - meant he had limited impact. He was loaned to PSV before returning to Ajax.
Silvio Maric
Newcastle United wearing the infamous white socks in the 1999 FA Cup final
Silvio Maric during the 1999 FA Cup final
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That miss at Wembley . . . OK it may not have changed much but Maric had the chance to write his name in United history in the 1999 FA Cup final against Manchester United, but missed a sitter. It summed up the Croatian's time on Tyneside. A star with Dynamo Zagreb, the forward moved to Newcastle in 1999 for £5.8m but only managed two goals in a United shirt, both of them coming in European competition.
Stephane Guivarc'h
Stephane Guivarc'h in action during his time with Newcastle United in 1998
Stephane Guivarc'h in action during his time with Newcastle United(Image: Shaun Botterill /Allsport)
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Newcastle had signed the French striker before the start of the 1998 World Cup, so United fans sat down expectantly to watch their future star in action. If they were disappointed by what he offered France (even though they won the tournament) then it was nothing compared to how he struggled in the Premier League. He scored on his debut in a 4-1 defeat to Liverpool but was quickly sold to Rangers after just FOUR appearances.
Andreas Andersson
Marcel Desailly challenges Andreas Andersson at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea's Marcel Desailly challenges Newcastle's Andreas Andersson at Stamford Bridge
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The signs were perhaps there when the Swede only scored one goal for AC Milan, but United forked out £6m to bring him to the Premier League under Kenny Dalglish in 1997. He failed to adapt and only scored four goals in 31 appearances, although did feature in an FA Cup final.
Florian Thauvin
Newcastle United new signing Florian Thauvin pictured on the roof at St James' Park on August 19, 2015
Florian Thauvin pictured on the roof at St James' Park on August 19, 2015
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He is remembered more for arriving to games in a tuxedo than what he did on the pitch, which is a shame because he was a real talent. He never lived up to the reported £12m pricetag though, and with Steve McClaren's side looking for someone to guide them away from relegation, the Frenchman was found lacking. Sixteen games and one goal later, he headed back to Marseille. He went on to have a strong career, and is still playing for Lens. He was called into the France squad and scored against Azerbaijan in 2025.
Emmanuel Riviere
Newcastle's Emmanuel Riviere
Newcastle United's Emmanuel Riviere(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)
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Not a lot went right for Alan Pardew in the summer window of 2014. Signed from Monaco for £6m, it quickly became apparent that he wasn't the answer to any goalscoring issues following Demba Ba's exit. A double in the League Cup against Palace raised hopes he had found his feet, but he didn't score again until the following May at QPR, his only Premier League goal for the club. He joined Osasuna on loan before a permanent move to Metz.