Newcastle United's best signings of the 21st century - including £4m bargain and big Saint-Maximin call

The January transfer window is upon us, which means Newcastle United can bolster their ranks for the first time since August. In a bygone era, the winter market would strike fear into the hearts of Toon supporters. January used to evoke a month-long panic as star players were thrown in the shop window. Fans who remember the likes of Andy Carroll, Yohan Cabaye and Demba Ba leaving during Mike Ashley’s reign could be forgiven for still being sceptical about what January entails.

However, the Saudi-backed regime have used this month to bolster Newcastle’s ranks in recent years. During their first window, five players arrived as the Magpies patched up their squad to secure Premier League survival.

Rewind to last year and Anthony Gordon was the marquee addition - a player who has arguably been Newcastle’s best this season. With clubs able to do business again, 3 Added Minutes recaps United’s best pound-for-pound signings of the 21st century:

10. Loic Remy

The only player on this list who did not sign permanently. Newcastle renewed interest in Remy with tails between their legs as he knocked them back to join Queens Park Rangers six months earlier. QPR were relegated and that opened the door for the Magpies to sign him on a season-long loan. His 14 goals in 26 games helped Newcastle finish 10th but, once again, he knocked Alan Pardew's side back to join Chelsea.

Remy will hardly be remembered as a fans’ favourite but nobody can deny his importance for that one season. The winner at White Hart Lane was his finest hour in a Newcastle shirt.

9. Allan Saint-Maximin

It was a toss-up between Saint-Maximin and Ayoze Perez as to who crept into this list. But the brilliance and sheer unpredictability of the Frenchman saw him trump Perez’s goals and price tag. In a dark age on Tyneside, Saint-Maximin offered hope. Fans were protesting at the owner in their droves and growing frustrated with Bruce’s dismal style of football.

But the eccentric winger dazzled, entertaining the masses with his flamboyant tricks and skills. Saint-Maximin’s numbers are not the best - but that does not matter - the joy he brought to fans during the club’s nadir earns him a place.

8. Peter Lovenkrands

Signed him on a free, from Germany! As the chant goes, Lovenkrands, like Ba, arrived for nothing but played a crucial part in Newcastle’s success. Netting 13 times in the second half of the Championship campaign and forging a fierce partnership with Carroll made him a cult hero on Tyneside. He never replicated those heroics at Premier League level but Lovenkrands still holds good standing among Newcastle fans.

7. Tim Krul

Newcastle paid £220,000 in compensation for the 17-year-old in 2005. One of the most memorable Magpies debuts ever came 18 months later, when the young goalkeeper stepped up to thwart Palermo in the UEFA Cup due to an injury crisis. Like others on this list, he also played a crucial role in helping Newcastle finish fifth in 2011-12. Krul played 184 times for the Magpies and, known for his shot-stopping capabilities, rarely let the team down.

6. Kevin Nolan

While his first few months at the club were difficult, Nolan was a key cog in the wheel which won the Championship in 2009-10. The midfielder bagged 17 goals and was crowned the division’s Player of the Year, wearing the armband for most of the season. Nolan became full-time skipper for Newcastle’s top-flight comeback, where he bagged a famous hat-trick against Sunderland. His 12 goals kept the club afloat once Carroll was sold but he left for West Ham United the following summer.

5. Yohan Cabaye

Signed for just £4million, Cabaye joined in the same summer as Ba, arriving as a Ligue 1 champion with Lille. The Frenchman immediately struck a chord with Toon fans for his creative spark and eye for the spectacular. Cabaye was the orchestrator in midfield during that memorable 2011-12 midfield, producing memorable moments like his stunning free-kick to sink Manchester United. Frustrated by the club’s lack of ambition, he left to join Paris Saint-Germain in January 2014 - for five times more than Newcastle paid.

4. Jamaal Lascelles

An inclusion governed by longevity, leadership and importance in keeping the club afloat during the back end of Ashley’s tenure. Rafa Benitez threw a young Lascelles into the deep end during the calamitous 2015-16 campaign. The defender was a youngster and spoke up to the media after a 3-1 loss to Southampton - demonstrating the attitude which earned him the armband following the club's eventual relegation.

3. Fabian Schar

At just £3 million, Schar is arguably the Magpies’ best pound-for-pound signing of the Premier League era. One of Howe’s first decisions as Toon boss was to reintroduce the Swiss international to the fold. He had previously been shunned by Steve Bruce but his international credentials and technical ability shone through once Howe took charge. Fans knew a player was there as he demonstrated on several occasions under Benitez, the man who brought him to St. James’ Park. At 32, Schar remains a key player for Newcastle, having played in every league game this season. There are arguments to suggest he gets into an all-time United XI since 1992.

2. Kieran Trippier

The first man to take the post-takeover leap of faith on Tyneside. Trippier has been instrumental to Newcastle’s upturn in fortunes since a PIF-led consortium bought the club in October 2021. His debut, in truth, was a nightmare. A 1-0 home defeat to Cambridge United must have had Trippier doubting his decision to leave La Liga champions Atletico Madrid. But the England right-back rallied his troops, wearing the armband in Jamaal Lascelles’ absence to help the Magpies beat the drop before reaching the Champions League a year later.

1. Demba Ba

Few were willing to take a punt on the Senegalese international in summer 2011. Just months earlier, Ba failed a medical at Stoke City, with manager Tony Pulis having concerns about his knee. Newcastle were desperate for a striker after selling Andy Carroll for £35million and gambled the house on Ba performing. Thankfully for the Magpies - and former owner Ashley - the hitman came good. An impressive 16 goals in his debut campaign was a solid return for a free transfer, especially as he did not score from February onwards. January arrival Papiss Cisse took centre stage from then but his contribution helped Newcastle secure a fifth-placed finish.