Jermaine Jenas has recalled how Leeds and Manchester United were all fighting for his signature at Nottingham Forest until Bobby Robson convinced him to move to Newcastle.
The former Spurs midfielder and Reds favourite left the City Ground on deadline day in 2002 when he was considered one of the brightest footballing talents in the country.
And while he had the Whites and United chasing him, it was Sir Bobby who gazumped them all.
Recalling his experiences of deadline day, Jenas told the One Show: "I've had a few transfer deadline day deals, last minute ones as well.
"My first one, when I left Nottingham Forest as an 18-year-old, there were three clubs involved that wanted to buy me - Manchester United, Leeds and Newcastle United.
"They all put bids in. Thankfully, at that stage in my career I was wanted so I got to choose who I went to.
I sat down with family, my agent and so on and I said that was the best option for me, and at that particular time.
"I got a phone call from Bobby Robson who was manager of Newcastle United at the time and he said: 'Right, look. I want you. You're going to be playing next week.'
"And that sold it for me. Up the A1 I went to Newcastle and I ended up living in Newcastle for four years."
Jenas made his return to Forest from Spurs in 2012 in what was then an emergency loan deal and he said that his wife was not amused given she had just given birth.
"For the family, in particular my wife, my last month was very difficult.
"She had our now eight-year-old daughter and I had to go to her literally as she's holding our newborn baby and tell her I was on my way to Nottingham so you're on your own for now.
"I wasn't popular as you can imagine. It wasn't an easy one to sell but it's just the other side of transfer deadline day."
