This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...

Brazilian forward Willian Jose has claimed that he turned down the chance to join Newcastle United from Real Sociedad in 2018.

And the Magpies have been made to regret missing out on the Sociedad ace with Joelinton struggling to make his mark since arriving from Hoffenheim.

What's the word, then?

Speaking to Marca, Willian Jose revealed that he had the opportunity to join Newcastle last summer but ultimately remained with Sociedad.

The 27-year-old had spells with Real Madrid and Real Zaragoza before joining Las Palmas, where he managed 10 goals in 34 outings during the 2015-16 campaign.

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Sociedad signed the forward in the summer of 2016, and he has been in fine form the Basque club - netting 49 times in 117 appearances in all competitions.

This season, Willian Jose has four goals in nine La Liga outings, whilst his overall record in La Liga is 51 strikes in 133 appearances, which is some going when considering that he has not been turning out for the likes of Barcelona.

Newcastle had been in the market for a striker for some time before ultimately deciding to sign Joelinton during the summer, and the South American's struggles suggest that Willian Jose would have been a much better option for the club.

Can Joelinton turn his form around?

It was always going to be difficult for the summer arrival to hit the ground running as Newcastle are not exactly a team that create bundles of opportunities.

The striker has netted just once in nine Premier League appearances this season, whilst his record of 15 goals in 60 Bundesliga matches is not exactly prolific.

It remains to be seen whether Joelinton can score the goals to keep Newcastle in the Premier League.

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It is difficult to say with any certainty that Willian Jose would have been a success in England's top flight as he is unproven in the Premier League.

The Brazilian's goal record in recent years is very, very impressive, though, and Newcastle missed a real trick when they failed to bring him to St James' Park.