27 January 2024 , 07:45
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Paul Gascoigne is one of the most iconic players in English football history - and could have been strutting his stuff at Manchester United had it not been for a chat with Chris Waddle.
The former midfielder made his name at Newcastle with a series of sparkling showings at St James’ Park. Gascoigne scored 25 goals for the Magpies in just over 100 games.
That form got others in the Premier League sitting up and taking notice, particularly Man United. Sir Alex Ferguson was keen on a deal for Gascoigne ahead of the 1988/89 season.
The Red Devils even went as far as agreeing a £2.2million fee with Newcastle. The only problem was that Tottenham had done the same.
The North London side attempted to put themselves in prime position with help from Chris Waddle. He was a former team-mate of Gascoigne at Newcastle and attempted to have a quiet word with the midfielder over becoming a Tottenham player.
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Speaking to FourFourTwo, Waddle revealed: “I went up to the North East one weekend. Terry had given me an additional day off and said that if I saw my pal up there, to have a word about him potentially coming to Tottenham, because everyone knew he was leaving Newcastle.
“I got in touch with Gazza and arranged to meet in a pub at midday on the Sunday. He strolled in with his entourage, all his mates. I asked him who he was going to sign for and he replied, ‘Manchester United’.
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“I said, ‘Why don’t you come to Spurs?’ I told him he could get lost in London and no one would find out half the stuff he’d do. If he moved to United, he’d have Alex Ferguson on his case all of the time, along with some senior players. I said Terry Venables was really knowledgeable and would look after him.
“He said, no, he was still off to Manchester United. I said, ‘Fair enough’ and wished him the best of luck. I left the pub, then he came out with his friends shouting, ‘Waddler, see you at White Hart Lane on Monday!’ I thought he was joking around, but when I returned to London on the Tuesday, I was told Gazza had been at the club the previous day and signed a contract."
Gascoigne continued to shine once he completed his move to Tottenham, and then went on to represent Italian giants Lazio and Scottish side Rangers. However, it appeared he still held regret over allowing Waddle to change his mind.
Speaking to Sky News back in 2009, Gascoigne said: "Maybe if I had stayed at Man United I might have still been there. I don't know, you just look at these players and the squad of young kids that play, young Rooney that's there, the Neville brothers and Becks, the way he [Ferguson] just brought them on and there are so many.
"It took me six years to get back talking to Sir Alex, I called him from Lazio and asked him would he re-sign us. He was with Eric Cantona and he said he would see what Cantona was going to do but I think everyone knows if you do something to Sir Alex Ferguson the way I did you don't get a second chance."