The key Newcastle United figure is leaving but he won’t be joining West Ham United.
It was revealed last month that Nickson would be leaving Newcastle after 15 years.
The 61-year-old joined from Blackburn Rovers in 2011 in a youth recruitment role before being promoted to head of recruitment under Rafael Benitez in 2017.
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He remained in his post following United’s PIF-led takeover in October 2021, helping the club identify several key players during a period of significant transfer investment.
Nickson visited Brazil in January 2022 to finalise the £40million signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon. Other key additions such as Anthony Gordon, Lewis Hall, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak and Sandro Tonali also arrived under Nickson’s watch.
Those players have played a key role in twice helping Newcastle qualify for the Champions League, as well as last year ending their 56-year trophy drought by winning the Carabao Cup.
Steve Nickson set to join Wrexham - not West Ham United
While Nickson has retained a senior position within the recruitment team, recent appointments have seen others take a more prominent lead on transfers.
A move to West Ham United, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, has been heavily mooted, however, The Gazette understands Nickson will join another Championship outfit in Wrexham.
The Welsh side, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, secured three consecutive promotions - taking them from the National League to the Championship - before narrowly missing out on the play-offs last year.
Newcastle United summer transfer plans unaffected by Steve Nickson’s expected departure
The Gazette understands Nickson’s expected departure hasn’t impacted Newcastle’s summer transfer window, with sporting director Ross Wilson, senior football executive Andy Howe and head coach Eddie Howe at the forefront of plans already in place.
Last summer was thrown into disarray when Paul Mitchell stepped down as sporting director ahead of the window opening. But Nickson’s exit is not expected to negatively impact Newcastle’s business in the same manner Mitchell’s did 12 months ago.
Wilson has since been appointed as Newcastle’s new sporting director, implementing a new strategy of signing young players with high potential and sell-on value.
The Magpies have secured three summer signings so far, bringing in goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, winger Bazoumana Toure and midfielder Sean Steur from Stade de Reims, Hoffenheim and Ajax, respectively for a combined £84million.
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