Newcastle United icon Alan Shearer has revealed the truth behind transfer speculation that saw him linked with a move to Real Madrid after Euro 2000.

Then-Magpies manager Sir Bobby Robson came out with one of his iconic quotes to issue a hands off warning to Spanish giants Real, who had reportedly turned their focus to Shearer in a bid to replace Nicolas Anelka. Shearer had just retired from international football at 30-years-old - following Euro 2000 - to focus on his commitments at club level with Newcastle.

"Keep your hands off Alan Shearer," Robson warned Madrid in The News of the World. "If I sold him it would be like selling the Tyne Bridge.

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"I am shocked and stunned, but not by the price they are quoting. Now he has quit the international scene, he has a minimum of four great years ahead of him. So I'm not surprised other clubs covet him."

During Amazon Prime's coverage of Manchester City vs Real Madrid in the Champions League, commentator Jon Champion asked Shearer if there was any truth in transfer speculation linking the ex-Newcastle star with a switch to Real Madrid back in the day. "Is it true that Real Madrid once tried to buy you?" he asked Shearer.

"Not that I know of, but carry on talking if you want, it sounds good anyway!" Shearer responded.

"The word was going round, back in 2000, that they were intending to make an offer for your services," Champion responded. "Bobby Robson came out with one of his inimitable quotes.

"He said; 'I can't sell Alan Shearer, that would be like selling the Tyne Bridge'."

"Have you seen the state of the Tyne Bridge?" Shearer quipped. "Probably like me in 2000 as well."

Champion responded: "I will concede you're in a better state of repair than the Tyne Bridge."