The “Northern Notebook” is i‘s weekly look inside the biggest football clubs in the north of England, providing insight, analysis and news on the burning issues of the day
Newcastle United’s first post-takeover sponsorship deal has raised hopes at the club that they will be able to broker a significant uplift in the value of their main club sponsor next season.
Fresh from completing the signing of Sven Botman this week, the club have turned their attention to trying to lure some of the best young talent to the club. Newcastle have negotiated a deal to sign 18-year-old England under-age international left-back Jordan Hackett from Spurs and are interested in Southampton’s 16-year-old prodigy Tyler Dibling.
It is part of a long-term strategy at St James’ Park that will see investment but also the need to raise commercial revenue to stay within financial fair play regulations. They are hampering Newcastle’s hopes of adding further to their squad – even though the club are remaining active in the market.
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As i revealed earlier this month, the club have negotiated an early break from Fun88 and have put their main sponsor out to tender.
Online marketplace Noon – which is owned by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, who are 80 per cent owners of Newcastle – has agreed to pay what club sources say is a ‘low’ seven figure sum to be the club’s sleeve sponsors. But it far outstrips last season’s deal with travel company Kayak.
There have been eyebrows raised that the new sponsor is so closely linked to PIF but it’s understood the deal has gone through the Premier League’s new sponsorship assessment panel, which has been set up to ensure ‘fair market price’ is being paid for commercial tie-ins.
i understands the club can point to hugely increased web traffic to back up their case that Newcastle’s profile – along with interest in the club both at home and overseas – has shot up since Mike Ashley sold the club in the autumn of 2021.
For all that, they are looking to sign the next big thing rather than big names on sizeable contracts – which makes last week’s links to Neymar in international media something of a non-starter.
Perhaps someone should tell midfielder Joelinton, though, after he sent out a tongue-in-cheek message to the Brazil forward telling him to join Newcastle. “We can get him a spot. If he comes, it will be – I can’t explain it,” he said.
“The 10 shirt is waiting for him. I’ll send a message to Bruno (Guimaraes). He has his number, he will send a message inviting him to play here.”
In reality, the club continue to monitor Armando Broja’s situation at Chelsea. Reims forward Hugo Ekitike remains of interest even though talks have broken off for now.
Brentford lead Lewis-Potter chase
Brentford have emerged as front runners to sign Hull City’s Keane Lewis-Potter, one of the Championship’s most coveted young players.
i understands the Bees have offered around £16million for Lewis-Potter, who is an England under-21 international and is keen on a move to the Premier League.
There has been strong interest from Everton and West Ham but Brentford have moved decisively to secure his signing with an offer that has forced Hull to – reluctantly – sell.
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Former Sunderland striker Fabio Borini is interested in a surprise Black Cats return, i understands.
Borini, who can play anywhere across the front three, is currently with Turkish Super Lig club Fatih Karagumuruk and scored three times in 21 appearances last season. But the 31-year-old is keen to return to England and the player has been offered to Sunderland as they look to add to their squad ahead of their return to the Championship next season.
Borini played close to 100 games on Wearside across a loan spell which was converted to a permanent move in 2015. He returned to Milan in 2017 after Sunderland’s relegation but has always retained an affection for the club and any move would add experience and know-how to a relatively young Sunderland side.
Sunderland have favoured youth in their recruitment drive and it remains to be seen how far – if at all – the move goes. Last season’s reunion with Jermaine Defoe was disastrous but Borini has been playing regularly and at 31 still believes he has many good years ahead of him.
Alex Neil has funds available to strengthen after Sunderland’s much-needed promotion via the play-offs.
The Black Cats have agreed a deal with Arsenal for promising defender Daniel Ballard, who spent last season on loan at Millwall. He can play either as a centre-back or defensive midfielder.
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