Mike Ashley hang your head in shame as £18m decision has just cut Newcastle United even deeper

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Newcastle United have made their fair share of mistakes in the transfer market.

In the past, the Magpies have signed players who never got going and were ultimately deemed a flop.

For example, Matz Sels’ Newcastle move was a failure after the Belgian made a slew of mistakes in his nine appearances in the Champions League – he left the club a year later. Sels has since made a name for himself at Nottingham Forest, playing against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.

Michael Owen is a player whose Toon exit brushed fans the wrong way. Owen ‘regrets’ joining Newcastle – the feeling is mutual amongst the fanbase.

• READ MORE – ‘I tried’… Sir Bobby Robson almost changed the whole landscape of Newcastle history in failed £15m transfer

There have also been instances where Newcastle have missed out on players who have gone on to become footballing legends, winning major competitions for club and country. Newcastle wanted to sign George Weah in 1995 – the same year he won the Ballon d’Or. Former Toon boss Kevin Keegan wanted Weah as a replacement for Andy Cole, who signed for Manchester United.

There was another player Newcastle failed to sign who has now come leaps and bounds in recent years. Their failure comes down to sheer stubbornness from former owner Mike Ashley.

Newcastle nearly signed Jarrod Bowen in 2020

Jarrod Bowen has become one of England’s best wingers since signing for West Ham from Hull City. But his career could have taken a completely different path.

Newcastle came agonisingly close to signing Bowen in 2020 while Steve Bruce was in charge. The 28-year-old was enjoying a fine season in the Championship which earned him a move to the top-flight. Bruce revealed exactly how the deal fell through.

Speaking on the Die For Three Points podcast in 2023, Bruce said: “The big one I missed on at Newcastle was Jarrod Bowen who we’d actually signed at Hull from Hereford for about £50,000.

“I watched him come through, great kid.

“I had him parked in the service station on the M1 waiting to see if we had the permission, to see if I could scramble the funds to make it happen but I couldn’t get the money together and he went to West Ham instead.”

Since signing for West Ham, Bowen has scored 68 goals and bagged 43 assists in 226 games across all competitions. His most important goal was undoubtedly the winner in the Europa Conference League final which gave him and West Ham their first European trophy.

West Ham beat Newcastle 2-0 at St James’ Park this season. Bowen praised his teammates for keeping Newcastle fans quiet throughout the game and ensuring they did not let them affect their performance.

• READ MORE – Bruno Guimaraes sends ‘important’ 13-word message ahead of Newcastle vs Nottingham Forest

The chances of Jarrod Bowen joining Newcastle in 2025

The failed move was baffling for Newcastle fans who believed they had landed a new winger. Even Bowen thought the Newcastle move was ‘nailed on‘ before it fell through.

Bowen looks to be settled in the capital. So it may be difficult to prise him away from the Hammers in the summer. However, reports in January suggest Bowen could join Newcastle if they qualify for the Champions League.

West Ham have struggled so far this season and have not come leaps and bounds under new head coach Graeme Potter either. Although sitting 16th in the Premier League table, it is unlikely that West Ham will be relegated this season but it will be another campaign without European football.

Bowen scored in West Ham’s win against Arsenal on Saturday, putting his goal tally to seven in the league this season.