8 Players You Didn't Know Newcastle United Almost Signed

6. Wayne Rooney

Remember the days when Newcastle had a chairman with the ambition to deliver the world's best players to St James' Park? Freddy Shepherd, much maligned by Toon fans, was never one to shy away from chasing cars he had little hope catching up to in his quest to bring success and silverware to Tyneside. One of those was a teenage Wayne Rooney way back in 2004.

Fresh from the sale of Jonathan Woodgate and with £13 million burning a hole in his pocket Shepherd sought to compete with Manchester United for Rooney's signature, seeing bids of £20 million and £23.5 million rejected by the Toffees. It's even said that Rooney would have joined the Magpies such was his desperation to leave Goodison Park, a notion strengthened by the close friendship shared between Shepherd and his then agent Paul Stretford.

As it was though, Sir Alex Ferguson made an offer the 18-year-old and his hometown club couldn't refuse and he was off to Old Trafford. 12 months later Shepherd signed Michael Owen for £16 million. And, as they say, the rest is history.