Alan Shearer turned down Manchester United to join his home-town club, and Kevin Keegan stunned everyone when he joined us when we were a Second Division team back in 1982. Supermac was signed in 1971 when the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United wouldn't risk £180,000 on a player who had never played at the highest level.
Today Newcastle seem to have beaten European champions Liverpool to signing Owen, and the Scousers are up in arms, and that must be good for the future of Newcastle United. Rather than selling - suddenly we make a world class signing like this.
Jackie Milburn, Gazza and Chris Waddle were signed for coppers and a set of strips, but were obviously unknowns at the time.
Peter Beardsley arrived after being snubbed by Manchester United so that was a bit of a risk at that time I suppose. The £6,500 paid to Airdrie for Hughie Gallacher was a Scottish record at that time, and of course the £150,000 for Tony Green was a bargain at the time, but he did only play a season.
So ... where does the Owen transfer rank? Please make your comments on our message board.