The Saudi Public Investment Fund has been linked with a move to take technical director Tim Steidten from West Ham to Newcastle.
West Ham have already seen off interest in Tim Steidten from Liverpool.
The relief was palpable among Hammers fans when Liverpool brought back Michael Edwards and the appointed Richard Hughes.
Especially as Steidten had publicly flirted with the idea of joining West Ham’s Premier League rivals when rumours emerged.
But no sooner had West Ham seen that threat off than the world’s richest club Newcastle were tipped to pounce.
Newcastle are looking to hire a highly-regarded sporting director to replace the outgoing Dan Ashworth.
And according to The Telegraph one name high on their list was West Ham’s recruitment chief nicknamed ‘the pearl diver’.
West Ham sweating over Newcastle interest in Steidten
Given the financial muscle the Magpies have, West Ham supporters – and undoubtedly the club’s owners – were concerned.
Well now there’s been a development.
Because the Saudi PIF have made a major Newcastle decision over Steidten and it’s big news for West Ham.
According to Mark Douglas of the i News, Newcastle’s owners want the new man in place before the window opens in June.
And they have now switched attentions from West Ham’s Steidten to football legend Paolo Maldini.
The Saudi PIF are said to have been seriously impressed with Maldini’s work at AC Milan.
The claim – which is also now being widely reported in Italy – suggests Maldini is the prime candidate.
And there’s further good news for West Ham about Newcastle’s back-ups should Maldini not come off.
Saudi PIF make decision and back-up list claim made
It is stated contact has also been made with Benfica’s Rui Pedro Braz, Sporting director of football Hugo Viana and ex-Monaco director Paul Mitchell as alternatives.
This is a huge relief for West Ham.
Steidten has already had roaring success with the captures of Mohammed Kudus and Edson Alvarez.
And Konstantinos Mavropanos has showed signs he could be a top defender for the Hammers.
West Ham have seen just what might be possible with the former Bayer Leverkusen director at the helm with a glance at how his old club look nowadays.
Leverkusen are on course to win the Bundesliga title and are remarkably unbeaten this season under the manager he had the vision to appoint – Xabi Alonso.
And with a team made up of a host of players he brought to the club.