In recent January transfer windows, Newcastle United have made a habit of parting with their most influential players.
Indeed, in 2013 Demba Ba was sold to Chelsea, while 12 months ago Yohan Cabaye departed for Paris Saint-Germain. This time around, Moussa Sissoko has been heaving linked with a return to his native France.
However, the Tynesiders have seemingly been selling their best players at this time of year for some time, with Andy Cole having been sold to Manchester United 20 years ago today.
The prolific striker arrived at St James' Park in 1993 from Bristol City and he went on to score 12 goals during Newcastle's promotion to the Premier League, where he then fired in an impressive 41 goals in all competitions during the 1993-94 campaign.
Cole followed that up by scoring a further 15 goals during the opening five months of the 1994-95 season - form which prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to make a bid of £7m, plus young winger Keith Gillespie, for his services.
Much to the dismay of many connected with the Magpies, it was an offer that manager Kevin Keegan and the board accepted, which resulted in a number of supporters converging at the ground to demand answers. They were told by Keegan: "I've got to be allowed to manage. If you think I'm making a mess of things then chant for me to go."
Meanwhile, speaking about his move to Old Trafford, Cole said: "I wouldn't have gone to any other club than Manchester United. I am excited about the prospect of playing at Old Trafford.
"There are lots of world-class players here and lots of chances which I hope to get on the end of. I don't set the fee and I'm looking forward to playing in Manchester. It's every schoolboy's dream to play at Old Trafford."
Newcastle would eventually replace Cole by signing Les Ferdinand, but it was the former of those two strikers that would prove to be a major success at his new club, despite a difficult start.
Cole missed a host of chances away at West Ham United in an encounter that cost United the Premier League title in 1995, but after that, he scored some vital goals as the Red Devils won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League.
He eventually departed for Blackburn Rovers in December 2001, having found the net on 121 occasions in 275 outings.
Liam Apicella
