Former chief scout at Newcastle United Charlie Woods has dropped a very interesting transfer claim on Wayne Rooney.
Speaking to The Chronicle, Woods disclosed a conversation that he had with Sir Bobby Robson about a transfer offer made by chairman at the time, Freddy Shepherd, to Everton to sign Wayne Rooney before he joined Manchester United instead:
"We were going up in the lift and he said to me, 'You mustn't say anything but Freddy has offered £20m cash for Rooney'. I said, 'Really?'
"I haven't told many people this story but it's true. Newcastle were very serious and Freddy offering £20m cash for a young boy...my word! That was a lot of money at the time. We were very interested in him."
What could have been if Newcastle sign Rooney
Fans of the Tyneside club may be wondering what could have been if they ended up signing Rooney from the Toffees.
The 35-year-old, who has recently put an end to his playing career to become the permanent manager at Derby County in the EFL Championship, will truly be remembered as a legend of the beautiful game.
Not only is he the record scorer for both United and England, but he has won so many accolades in his footballing career, namely winning the Premier League on no fewer than five separate occasions as well as getting his hands on a UEFA Champions League trophy (Transfermarkt).
Nonetheless, the fact that Rooney did not sign for the St. James' Park faithful in the end is a story of what might have been given how much interest the Magpies showed in signing him.