http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-newcastle-united-scout-paul-9281315
Monty worked first for Smith, then for Bobby Robson, and finally returned for Glenn Roeder and Sam Allardyce.
“I was a pal of Glenn and had worked for him at West Ham,” explained Montgomery.
“After he left Big Sam asked me to stay on.
“I wanted to sign Edmilson for Newcastle. A Brazilian international captain, he had spent four years at Lyon and then four at Barcelona. He could defend AND play.
“Edmilson wasn’t a mercenary. He gave a lot of his money to children’s charities. He wanted to finish his career in the Premier League and Barca were willing to give him a free in recognition of his long service.
“I took Allardyce to Barcelona to meet Edmilson over a meal in a restaurant. I thought it was all done then one morning I woke to find United had signed Alan Smith for £7m, a guy with a poor fitness record after a bad injury.”