Newcastle United are pulling out all the stops to get summer deals over the line
Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC Bayern Munich at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig
(Image: AP)
Newcastle United believe they are edging ever closer to a club-record transfer for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko after progress was made over the weekend.
Talks were held between club figures, the 22-year-old forward, his agent and Leipzig chiefs, with Newcastle aware of rival interest from Manchester United in recent weeks.
A key part of the negotiations, interestingly, was Magpies' co-owner, Jamie Reuben.
The businessman, who has been a public face of the Saudi-led consortium’s takeover in 2021, has taken on a bigger role in dealings of late, with Newcastle's sporting director post still vacant following the recent departure of Paul Mitchell.
Reuben has been attempting to get the Sesko deal over the line in recent days, following on from his success earlier in the summer as United chased Nottingham Forest winger Anthony Elanga.
That particular deal was officially driven by Eddie Howe’s nephew, Andy Howe, but Reuben's longstanding relationship with Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, helped in getting the £52m transfer over the line.
Reuben has joined Eddie Howe and his squad on pre and mid-season jaunts in recent seasons, helping him become aligned with the aims and ambitions of the manager he helped appoint in the early post-takeover days.
But before this summer, the boardroom chief had taken more of a low-key role when it came to finalising transfers. Former co-owner Amanda Staveley - and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi - were evident in past negotiations for the likes of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, talking publicly about their roles in ensuring Howe's squad was strengthened.
With Staveley now long gone and a small vacuum forming at recruitment level this summer, Reuben is lending his experience to the likes of Steve Nickson and Andy Howe in ensuring Newcastle head into this season as strong as possible.
Discussing the current recruitment situation behind the scenes at St James' Park, Howe last month admitted: “It’s been a busier summer in that respect than I wanted.
“With Paul leaving, I think that naturally left a hole in terms of that role. Someone in that role fields a lot and protects the manager from a lot of things.
“Of course, his departure left that open for me to do some things that I wouldn’t normally have done.
“The summer certainly wasn’t a relaxing one for me, to switch off and see what happens. It was constantly on, and constantly trying to help in terms of off-the-field and trying to make sure we’re ready for the start of the new season.
“It’s been a challenging summer in that respect, but the most important thing is how the squad looks going into the last week of pre-season, before the start of the season.
"We need to make sure we’re strong enough for a long campaign ahead.”