In a recent podcast, Alan Shearer revealed that Newcastle United almost made a surprising move by signing one of the world’s top attackers from Manchester United years ago.
Even though Shearer was a top striker for Newcastle himself, the club wanted to strengthen their attack with another star player, especially one of the most promising young talents in the game at that time.
Shearer told The Rest is Football podcast that Newcastle had “definitely” bid for Wayne Rooney at the start of his career at Old Trafford with Manchester United.
“Newcastle did put a bid in for him when he was at Man United. Definitely a bid went it for him. It would have been great but I don’t think realistically it was ever going to happen,” Shearer said.
Rooney was only 18 when he joined Manchester United, already one of the Premier League’s best players, while Shearer was nearing the end of his career.
The former England striker broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s record and became Manchester United’s top scorer of all time. He played a vital role in Sir Alex Ferguson’s successful era and earned a spot in the club’s history.
Newcastle fans can only wonder what could have been, as Rooney was a rare talent and one of England’s greatest players ever.