Newcastle United may well have been left to regret one notable failed transfer in the recent past, with the Magpies having seemingly missed out on signing Australia's World Cup hero, Aaron Mooy.

Reports back in May 2017 suggested that the Tynesiders - as well as a handful of other Premier League clubs - had made a bid to prise the playmaker from Manchester City, with the 5 foot 9 ace having impressed while on loan at Huddersfield Town in that 2016/17 campaign, earning the club's Player of the Year award.

As it proved, the Sydney-born ace ultimately sealed a permanent switch to the Terriers that summer for a reported fee of just £8m, going on to score a respectable seven goals over the next two seasons in the top flight.

Huddersfield's relegation at the end of the 2018/19 season ultimately saw the midfield maestro again linked with a move to St James' Park, albeit with Mooy instead sealing a switch to Brighton and Hove Albion on an initial temporary deal.

Now at Celtic, the 32-year-old - who arrived at Parkhead in the summer after a spell in China - may not be the most glamourous name that Newcastle have missed out on over the years, although the experienced ace has more than shown his class with his displays in Qatar over the last few weeks.

The 57-cap menace notably sparkled in the group stage triumph over Tunisia to help kickstart his nation's tournament after a first-game defeat at the hands of France, having put in an "immense shift" in that 1-0 win, in the words of journalist, Josh Bunting.

That "relentless" performance in the centre of the park, as per Statman Dave, saw the Hoops man notably win four of his six ground duels, while also recording three tackles, two interceptions, two blocks and two clearances.

The £23k-per-week ace again impressed in the subsequent meetings with Denmark and Argentina, having notably been lauded by Magpies legend Alan Shearer following that latter defeat, with the former England international stating:

"He’s the heartbeat of that team. He’s been their best player, played every minute of their three games, had more touches, more passes, more tackles, won possession more than anyone else in his team and he’s brave in terms of possession.

"He’s not afraid to get on the ball, and most things go through him when they’re attacking and defending."

Such has been his impact in Qatar, FourFourTwo's Mark While also stated that it was "weird that Aaron Mooy hasn't played regularly for a better team", with the ageing asset seemingly a player who could have flourished on a grander stage.

As such, Newcastle may well be ruing their inability to get him through the door all those years ago, particularly with the midfield department having not always been particularly strong prior to Bruno Guimaraes' arrival, amid the dark days of Jeff Hendrick and the like...