‘They’re lying’ - Alan Shearer baffled by Newcastle United star’s £2.5m exit

Alan Shearer was blown away by Joselu’s semi-final heroics for Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Rafa Benitez, shopping in the bargain basement, persuaded Mike Ashley to stump up £5million for the Spaniard seven years ago. Newcastle United had just earned an instant Premier League return and needed strength in depth up front.

However, the move proved a disaster, with Joselu bagging just seven goals in 52 games across all competitions. The now Madrid striker opened up earlier this year about needing to leave St James’ Park.

"That last year at Newcastle was not good so you have to drop your expectations," he said. "I knew in myself what I was capable of, but also I knew how I’d played in that last year so the offers that came in were not as big.

"Alaves is an important club in Spain but it's not at Newcastle’s level. I had no problem with going there and doing the best I could and that helped me reach where I am now.

"It would have been easier to say, 'Nah! I’ve played at a higher level; I’m not dropping down.' I had signed for four years at Newcastle. I could have stayed and picked up my money and not played, but I wanted to compete."

Joselu has since enjoyed a renaissance in Spain, becoming a prolific scorer at Alaves and Espanyol before earning a shock loan move to the Bernabeu. The 34-year-old took Europe by storm with a stunning last-gasp brace to book Madrid a spot in the Champions League final.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Toon icon Shearer confessed he never expected big things from the striker. He said: “I must admit, I never saw that coming with Joselu when he was at Newcastle. Did anyone else? If anyone says yes, they’re lying.

“Because him at Newcastle, him at Stoke… bloody hell. You’ve got to give him some credit for going there and the goals that he’s scored. The way he turned that around for them, it’s incredible.”