Newcastle United could face a backroom blow with West Ham United reportedly interested in the Magpies’ head of recruitment, Steve Nickson.
According to Chronicle Live’s Lee Ryder, West Ham have placed Nickson on their radar after Max Hahn left his role as head of recruitment following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.
“Newcastle United could be set for a major blow with West Ham United keen on renowned talent spotter Steve Nickson,” Ryder reported.
Nickson has been Newcastle’s head of recruitment
since 2017, when Rafa Benitez promoted him. He initially joined the club as an academy talent spotter after working at Blackburn Rovers.
Ryder reported that West Ham’s next recruitment head is expected to have a bigger remit and stronger presence, with Nickson’s sporting director qualification potentially making him attractive to the London club.
Nickson has been credited with helping Newcastle identify major signings and long-term assets, including Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes during the PIF ownership, as well as Ayoze Perez, who arrived from Spanish side Tenerife for £1.5million before PIF came to Tyneside, to then be sold to Leicester City for £30million.
Sporting director Ross Wilson is currently trying to expand Newcastle’s scouting operation; however, losing Nickson might force Newcastle into taking a step back before taking two forward.
Ryder, indeed, reported that losing Nickson would be viewed as a significant setback.
