Not entirely true, managers give the directors a list of players they want. In Newcastle case Charnley would go down the list and say well this guy is a lot cheaper and in the age bracket we want. In reality that player is 10th choice. It's well known that he wanted Gareth Barry. It's a bit like at Valencia when he asked for Samuel Eto'o and instead they bought him some random winger. Which led to the famous quote "They bought me a lampshade when I asked for a sofa". It's obvious when a player is wanted because they actually get game time.
Even if he did want Barry. It was to replace Xabi Alonso. It's like replacing a Ferrari with a pogo stick
