Luque never wanted Newcastle

Spaniard claims he only joined Magpies for money

By Steven Morrison   Last updated: 30th September 2007

luque albert

Luque: Joined for money

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Former Newcastle forward Albert Luque has revealed he never wanted to sign for the Magpies and only joined the club because of money.

The Spaniard was considered a flop in his two years on Tyneside, scoring just three goals in a frustrating time for the ex-Deportivo ace.

Luque was transferred to Ajax in the summer at a £7.5million loss and claims he never wanted to leave Spain in the first place.

Negative reply

"I gave Newcastle a negative reply when they called," he explained to Voetbal International.

"I was having a great time at Depor, (but) they came in with an offer too good to refuse.

"I had a talk with then-chairman, Freddie Shepherd, and told him how much I wanted to earn. It was a ludicrous amount but he didn't bat an eyelid.

"I was going to earn lots and lots of money at a club I had never paid any attention to before and move to a town I knew nothing about," he said.

No opportunities

Luque was limited to 34 appearances for the club, including only six league starts, and has blasted Glenn Roeder for the way he was treated.

"He ignored me completely. I often started on the bench and even more was forced to watch from the stands.

"I never had the opportunity to adapt to the British style," Luque added.

The 29-year-old also revealed that his time at the Premier League club taught him that money is not everything.

"This summer I came to the conclusion that money is not the only thing in life.

"I told Newcastle's new chairman, Chris Mort, money was not an issue anymore, providing they let me go. I was fed up with leading a tourist-like life."