They still talk at Sheffield United of the time they almost signed a young Diego Maradona, only to fail to come up with the £200,000 transfer fee.

Their city rivals at Wednesday also rue the day they let Eric Cantona slip through their fingers and bring success to Leeds, then Manchester United.

Similarly, one now wonders whether the Newcastle mandarins are already regretting their decision to reject the chance to sign Ronaldo.

As revealed by Northern Echo Sport last month, the Brazil striker was offered to Newcastle at the end of the season - only for the Magpies to baulk at the £15m fee, prohibitive salary and a large insurance premium.

At the time, it seemed an eminently sensible decision. Just 17 league appearances in three injury-ravaged years did not leave a massive question mark over Ronaldo - the record simply proved he wasn't fit.

Eight goals in seven World Cup games later, his transfer value has rocketed and he is once again one of the most prized assets in world football.

Newcastle's move for Rivaldo was always doomed to fail, but they had an outstanding chance of persuading his international teammate to move to the North-East.

But they didn't want to know.

If Ronaldo looked dangerous in the World Cup, against watertight international defences, he'd run riot in the Premiership alongside Alan Shearer.

After wasting two gilt-edged chances in the first half yesterday, both of his goals were taken with the ruthless efficiency of a cold-eyed assassin.

Close your eyes, Newcastle fans, and dream of the havoc he'd cause against West Brom or Birmingham. Or Manchester United or Arsenal, for that matter.

But you'll have to dream, because it won't be reality. And all because Newcastle thought it would be a gamble too far.

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