How Newcastle United pipped Leeds United, Arsenal and West Ham to Kieron Dyer transfer deal

Kieron Dyer has revealed the decision to sign for Newcastle United over Leeds United and Arsenal still weighs on his mind over 25 years on.

The versatile midfielder left Ipswich Town for a move to St James' Park back in 1999 after excelling in the south east and earning suitors across the Premier League. Despite strong transfer interest from the Whites, Arsenal and West Ham United, Newcastle's £6.5m bid proved enough to strike a deal.

When quizzed on his Newcastle switch, Dyer told Open Goal: “Newcastle wasn't my first choice it was just more money [bid]. It was £6.5million.

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“If I'd known what I know now and all the managers I'd spoken to, I know Arsenal wanted to buy me as a right-back, Harry Redknapp was playing three at the back [at West Ham United] and saw me as a right wing-back then Ruud Gullit [at Newcastle] and David O'Leary [at Leeds] saw me as a midfielder.

“I know Leeds and Arsenal bid £5million. Then I get pulled in the manager [George Burley's] office and he goes 'we've accepted a bid from Newcastle head to Stansted Airport and fly up for your medical'. You don't get time to think about it.

“As soon as my agent tells me the deal I'm like okay. This is no disrespect to Newcastle, I had the most amazing time there, we played Champions League football, the fans are unbelievable, but at the time, if I had thought about it, I would have held tight and seen if Leeds and Arsenal would have upped their bids because Arsenal would have been the dream.”

Dyer went on to play almost 200 times for the Premier League outfit, becoming a fan favourite under Sir Bobby Robson in the process. He currently holds the position of first-team coach at Chesterfield.