But Jose Enrique is different ... or so we believe.
Allardyce is confident that he spent the £6.3m wisely, after insisting Enrique will fulfil his considerable potential in Newcastle colours.
Forget The Past - Spanish Eyes Are Shining
Allardyce: "Jose's one of the big young talents in Spain at Under-21 level and we hope that he will break through into the full national side quite soon.
"He's a strong, powerful left-back who has great talent and I'm hoping he shines (in tonight's Carling Cup tie)."
"I would like to bring in a couple more players. I've no definites yet but I'm working very hard to secure one or possibly two players before the transfer window shuts.
"Getting them in is a problem because managers don't want to sell players now. The quality of the player is very important to me. It's not about taking players for the sake of it, it's about getting the right quality to improve us."
"Getting them in is a problem because managers don't want to sell players now. The quality of the player is very important to me. It's not about taking players for the sake of it, it's about getting the right quality to improve us."