10 Players Newcastle Were Mad To Let Go

2. Andy Cole - Sold To Manchester United For £6 Million Plus Keith Gillespie (1995)

Newcastle United Appearances (1993-95): 85 Newcastle United Goals: 68 International Appearances for England (Goals): 15 (1) Clubs (Since Leaving NUFC): Manchester United (1995-2001), Blackburn Rovers (2001-04), Fulham (2004-05), Manchester City (2005-06), Portsmouth (2006-07), Birmingham City (loan, 2007), Sunderland (2007-08), Burnley (loan, 2008), Nottingham Forest (2008) Career Appearances (Since Leaving NUFC): 492 Career Goals (Since Leaving NUFC): 191

A club-record £1.75 million signing from Bristol City in February 1993, Andy Cole certainly provided value for money as he thumped in an astonishing 68 goals in 85 appearances for Newcastle. However, despite having netted 43 goals in just 58 Premier League matches for the Magpies (including claiming the 1993-94 Golden Boot), Newcastle agreed to sell Cole to Manchester United in January 1995 for £6 million plus Keith Gillespie (who was valued at £1 million). Gillespie proved to be a hit on Tyneside, flying down the wing and delivering delicious crosses to the likes of Alan Shearer and Les Ferdinand in the years that followed, but Cole continued to be a prolific Premier League - and Champions League - goalscorer. As well as winning 10 trophies with Man United - including five Premier League titles and the 1999 UEFA Champions League - Cole scored another 192 goals in a further 492 career appearances for a whole host of clubs after leaving Newcastle. The money for Cole was substantial, but strikers with such prolific records are almost impossible to come by.