Newcastle United missed a number of great opportunities during the Mike Ashley era. Indeed, the Magpies had numerous chances to seriously kick on in that period, but Ashley’s lack of ambition and investment seemed shackle the club. Sam Allardyce was the first manager who had to deal with Ashley, and speaking on the Under the Cosh Podcast, Allardyce has now shared that he nearly made a blockbuster signing for the Magpies. Indeed, according to Big Sam, he made a transfer plan with Freddy Shepherd to sign Luka Modric for £12m, but that deal was kyboshed once Mike Ashley arrived at the club. READ …