Newcastle United have no doubt carried out some astute business since the change in ownership back in late 2021, with the arrival of PIF having seen the Magpies pull off notable deals in the transfer market in recent times, including the bargain signings of the likes of Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn – the pair joining for just £12m and £13m, respectively.

Such dealings were not always commonplace during the Mike Ashley regime, however, with the example of one-time loanee Loic Remy showcasing the failings of the much-maligned businessman.

Why did Remy not join Newcastle permanently?

The Tynesiders had seemingly first shown an interest in the prolific Frenchman back in 2013, with the 6 foot 1 hotshot having bagged 30 goals in just 75 games during his time at Nice, as well as a further 42 goals in 111 games for Ligue 1 giants, Marseille.

It was, however, Queen’s Park Rangers who were ultimately able to secure the striker’s services on an £8m deal ahead of the St James’ Park outfit in January 2013, with the London side’s hefty wage offer seemingly doing the trick in helping to tempt the player to join in their relegation fight.

After scoring six goals in only 16 games at the tail-end of that season at Loftus Road, the one-time Lyon ace then belatedly opted to seal a loan switch to the northeast later that year, joining a host of French talent to have been snapped up by Alan Pardew at the time.

The “high class” machine – as lauded by Pardew – would prove an instant hit on Tyneside after scoring 14 goals in just 26 Premier League games during the 2013/14 campaign, albeit with only two of those coming after the turn of the year as injury curtailed his progress.

Despite that setback, however, Remy was clearly a popular figure at the club as he was even named the Player of the Year by the Newcastle Supporters Trust, having also notably earned comparisons to compatriot – and footballing icon – Thierry Henry after netting against Cardiff City in October 2013.

The player himself stated at the time: “The guys in the changing room said to me it was like a Thierry Henry goal, so that made me smile. I am often compared with Thierry Henry and it is nice to hear that from people because it means I am doing something right.”

That likeness was also noted by ex-Newcastle man Mick Quinn, with the pundit writing in his Chronicle column that the club should do all they can to strike a permanent agreement:

‘We have money. Quite a bit of it. Let’s spend some of it on a player who I believe is going to be as good as Thierry Henry. And I don’t say that lightly. It’s how much I admire the guy.

‘Henry was one of the greatest I have ever seen playing in English football. Remy is getting close to his level and at 27 is just about to enter the best years of his career.

‘He could be as important for Newcastle as Henry was for Arsenal – which was very important.’

As it proved, however, the Magpies were unable to tempt the 30-cap forward to agree to a deal as he ultimately spurned their advances – as QPR owner Tony Fernandes revealed – going on to join top-flight rivals Chelsea in the summer of 2014 for a fee of around £10.5m.

After ultimately struggling to fire at Stamford Bridge – where he scored just 12 goals in 47 games – Remy was then linked with a return to St James’ Park in 2016, albeit before ultimately joining Crystal Palace on loan.

There may well be a feeling that Ashley and co should have done more to tie the striker down when they had the chance, with it no doubt a case of what might have been had the Henry-esque star stayed put for the long term.

Now 37, Remy has gone on to feature for clubs in Turkey – where he scored six times in his first ten outings for Caykur Rizespor to maintain that ‘high-class’ output – before arriving in Spain and then his native France, having notably joined Stade Brest at the start of last month.