NEWCASTLE'S January transfer window has been blasted after their failure to sign Aaron Ramsey.
The Magpies splashed out £85million last month, bringing five new signings to St James' Park.
Ramsey signed for Rangers in a shock loan deal, despite interest from the Premier League
But despite that, Arsenal legend Paul Merson remains unconvinced by Toon's spending, and reckons the club should have pushed to sign Ramsey from Juventus.
Merson has claimed the Welshman, who instead joined Scottish champions Rangers, would have been Newcastle's best January signing 'by a country mile'.
And Merse told Sky Sports: "It’s been disappointing [for Ramsey at Juventus]. When you get a move, you’ve got to start well at a big club like that and it didn’t work out for him.
"I’m very shocked there isn’t Premier League clubs in for him. He’s a player that scores goals from midfield, a good player and I’m shocked there aren’t more clubs in for him.
"You look at Newcastle, who are buying players left, right and centre and he would be the best player they’ve bought by a country mile."
Everton, Burnley and Wolves were also keen on Ramsey but he moved to Glasgow - although Juventus are thought to be paying almost all of his £400,00-a-week wages.
Newcastle instead opted for the £35million signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon.
Chris Wood arrived for £25m, while Eddie Howe bolstered his backline with the signings of Kieran Trippier (12m), Dan Burn (£13m) and Matt Targett was brought in on loan.
But Merson went on to suggest he remains far from convinced by Newcastle's business, as the club failed in its attempts to recruit Jesse Lingard and Hugo Ekitite.
Merson added: "None of them are like signings that are breathtaking. If you put Jesse Lingard up there I’d go, ‘wow.’
"Chris Wood [has been] playing down at the lower parts of the Premier League.
"Targett, is steady but he played behind Jack Grealish for the last two or three years that maybe made him a better player.
"I’m not sure, but they’ve given themselves a chance [of survival]."