10 Most Expensive Newcastle Transfer Flops In History

9. Xisco

Usually, the acquisition of a Spanish under-21 international striker doesn't cause the uproar it did when Xisco touched down in Newcastle. You could be forgiven for feeling a shred of sympathy for the young Spaniard, arriving at a club in conflict as Kevin Keegan battled with executive director (football) Dennis Wise who was responsible for his £5.7 million move from Deportivo and loan deal for Igancio Gonzalez before being indirectly responsible for Keegan's resignation. He played and scored on his debut against Hull but it quickly became apparent that he wasn't fit for purpose as a Premier League forward, while a reported weekly wage of £50,000 ensured rapid decline in his sympathisers. Four months later we had an attempt to flog him blocked by FIFA who didn't allow a player to be registered to three clubs in one season and he spent the next couple of years going back and forth to Spain for various loan spells. He did briefly return to the club at the start of the 2010/11 campaign and assisted Andy Carroll's hat-trick goal in the 6-0 demolition of Aston Villa - a rare highlight. Eventually he was released on a free transfer in January 2013 just four months after scoring a surprise treble of his own in a reserve match against Stoke. For a stocky, 6ft 2in centre forward he wasn't half a soft touch.