Newcastle nearly signed world class legend who's now worth £150M, but got Obertan instead

In the 2024/25 season, Newcastle United’s expectations are set higher than ever, with anything less than a strong push for silverware and European qualification considered a failure.

The club’s ambitions have transformed under Eddie Howe, who has masterfully steered the team since his appointment shortly after the Public Investment Fund (PIF) takeover.

Howe has turned Newcastle into serious contenders, but the journey has been far from smooth. The past 15 years have seen the club endure two relegations, several close calls, and disappointing finishes.

While Newcastle now enjoys significantly deeper pockets thanks to the PIF, their success isn’t just about money. The club has also adopted a more focused and strategic approach to signings.

High-profile additions like Sven Botman, Bruno Guimaraes, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Gordon have made an immediate impact, showcasing how smart recruitment can elevate a team. However, this hasn’t always been the case, with many past signings falling short of expectations.

One notable example is Gabriel Obertan, a transfer that failed to deliver results—and when you hear who Newcastle could have signed instead, it makes the missed opportunity even more painful.

In the summer of 2011, Newcastle brought in Obertan from Manchester United for a reported £3 million. At 22, he had shown flashes of potential during his time at Old Trafford but had struggled to break through into the first team, scoring only one goal in 21 appearances.

It was clear he needed a fresh start, and Newcastle hoped they could unlock his potential. Unfortunately, the move never paid off. Obertan’s time at Newcastle was plagued by injuries and inconsistency. He never lived up to the expectations that had followed him from Manchester United.

Obertan’s struggles were compounded by the fact that he couldn’t stay fit. Injuries kept him on the sidelines for long stretches, preventing him from finding any real rhythm or consistency in his game.

In total, he made 77 appearances for Newcastle, scoring just three goals and providing ten assists. By the time he left the club on a free transfer in 2016, it was clear that he had failed to live up to his potential.

A look at Obertan’s stats reveals just how disappointing his time at Newcastle was:

Season	Apps (Starts)	Goals	Assists
2015/16	6 (4)	0	1
2014/15	16 (11)	1	2
2013/14	5 (0)	0	0
2012/13	24 (14)	1	3
2011/12	26 (19)	2	4

Despite these underwhelming numbers, what makes this transfer even more frustrating is who Newcastle missed out on during the same period. Mohamed Salah, one of the most feared forwards in world football, could have been a Magpie.

In 2011, Salah was still playing for Al Mokawloon in Egypt and was attracting attention from European clubs. Newcastle had expressed interest in bringing him to St. James’ Park, and Salah himself confirmed it at the time.

He said, “Newcastle will soon make an official offer to sign me for one season. I don’t think contractors will refuse to let me play in the English Premier League. It’s a dream for any player to play in one of the strongest league competitions in the world.” However, Newcastle never followed through with their interest.

Instead, Salah went on to sign with FC Basel in Switzerland in 2012, where he honed his skills before moving to Chelsea for £11 million in 2014. Of course, Salah’s time at Chelsea was brief, but he found his form with Liverpool, where he has since become a Premier League and Champions League winner.

With over 160 goals and 72 assists in 267 Premier League appearances, Salah is now widely regarded as one of the best players in the world. Liverpool even rejected a £150 million bid from Saudi club Al Ittihad in 2023, proving just how highly they value him.

Had Newcastle acted on their initial interest, Salah might have been wearing black and white stripes instead of Liverpool red. The idea of having Salah lead Newcastle’s attack over the past decade is a tantalizing thought. However, at the time, Newcastle decided to invest in Gabriel Obertan, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Now, with Newcastle on an upward trajectory once again, these past missteps don’t hold as much significance. The club has learned from its previous mistakes and is now employing a smarter, more focused transfer strategy. While the missed opportunity with Salah is a reminder of what could have been, Newcastle’s current direction suggests that the club’s best days are still ahead.