Midfielder admits wanting Arsenal move not Newcastle | OneFootball

Kieron Dyer has revealed that he still regrets choosing Newcastle United over Arsenal more than 25 years ago.

The former Ipswich Town star, who made the move to St James’ Park in 1999, now reflects that Arsenal would have been his dream destination had circumstances been different.

NEWCASTLE – FEBRUARY 9: Kieron Dyer of Newcastle United is tackled by Gilberto Silva of Arsenal during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match held on February 9, 2003 at St James Park, in Newcastle, England. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Newcastle’s £6.5m offer secured Dyer’s services, edging out interest from Arsenal, Leeds United, and West Ham United.

Despite becoming a fan favourite during his 250-game tenure at Newcastle, where he flourished under Sir Bobby Robson, Dyer admits that Newcastle wasn’t his first choice.

Speaking to Open Goal, Dyer said, “Newcastle wasn’t my first choice; it was just more money [bid]. It was £6.5m. If I’d known what I know now and all the managers I’d spoken to, I know Arsenal wanted to buy me as a right-back, Harry Redknapp saw me as a right wing-back, and Ruud Gullit [at Newcastle] along with David O’Leary [at Leeds] viewed me as a midfielder.”

18 Dec 2001: Patrick Vieira of Arsenal battles for the ball with Kieron Dyer of Newcastle during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Highbury, London. Credit: Phil Cole/ALLSPORT

Dyer went on to have a successful career at Newcastle, playing Champions League football and earning the adoration of the fans with 36 goals and 44 assists. However, he wonders what might have been if he’d managed to secure the move to north London.

He added, “I know Leeds and Arsenal bid £5m. Then I get pulled in the manager [George Burley’s] office and he goes ‘we’ve accepted a bid from Newcastle head to Stansted Airport and fly up for your medical’. You don’t get time to think about it.

“As soon as my agent tells me the deal, I’m like, OK. This is no disrespect to Newcastle, I had the most amazing time there, we played Champions League football, the fans are unbelievable, but at the time, if I had thought about it, I would have held tight and seen if Leeds and Arsenal would have upped their bids because Arsenal would have been the dream.”

NEWCASTLE – FEBRUARY 9: Thierry Henry of Arsenal takes the ball past Aaron Hughes and Kieron Dyer of Newcastle United during the FA Barclaycard Premiership match held on February 9, 2003 at St James Park, in Newcastle, England. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

After leaving Newcastle in 2007, Dyer joined West Ham United before ending his playing career with stints at QPR and Middlesbrough.

He now serves as a first-team coach at Chesterfield after a successful liver transplant in 2023.

Against Arsenal, Dyer only ever won two games, scoring one and assisting two. He lost seven.