An ex-Premier League chairman has urged Benjamin Sesko to sign for Newcastle United over Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United, despite having reservations over Magpies boss Eddie Howe in the past
Simon Jordan has told Benjamin Sesko to head to St James’ Park over Old Trafford, stating the RB Leipzig striker will have “less scrutiny” playing under Eddie Howe than Ruben Amorim. The former Crystal Palace chairman admits he had “reservations in the past” over the Newcastle manager, but he now believes the Carabao Cup winners are the right team for Sesko to thrive in.
Newcastle and Manchester United are locked in a transfer battle to sign the 22-year-old. The two sides have submitted big bids to bring Sesko to their respective clubs.
The Magpies struck first with a rejected offer before coming back with an improved proposal worth £70million plus add-ons. However, the Red Devils have lodged a bid of their own worth £65.1m plus a further £8.7m in add-ons, and a final decision from the Slovenian international looks to be imminent.
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Jordan appeared on talkSPORT to discuss the choice Sesko faces, admitting that if money weren’t an issue, then Newcastle should be his prime destination.
“If I were in his shoes, if the economics of the deal were that I wasn’t being compromised financially by going to Newcastle over Manchester United, I think it’s a great move,” Jordan said, before he went on to discuss the former Bournemouth boss.
“I think Eddie Howe is a brilliant manager – I had my reservations about him in the past – I’ve had conversations already. I like him very much, and I think he’s done a brilliant job.
“So I would be looking at Newcastle rather than Man United.”
Jordan went on to note that everything Sesko does would be looked at under a microscope when playing under Amorim at United, whereas he would have more freedom to grow while developing under Howe. Jordan added: “I think because Newcastle comes with expectation, but doesn’t come with the same pressure that Man United comes from.
“Whilst people focus on Newcastle, they focus on it because Newcastle makes a lot of noise, because it’s a very passionate football club and the fans are very motivated by it. It doesn’t have the day-to-day scrutiny that Man United has.
“It doesn’t matter what happens, you can fart in the corridor of Man United – that’s heard around the world. It’s not the same at Newcastle.”
United are reportedly confident that Sesko will be heading to the north west of England to add to their attacking line, having secured the signatures of Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo and ex-Wolves man Matheus Cunha already this summer.
Sesko, though, is considered a ready replacement at Newcastle for Alexander Isak, whose form has understandably caught the attention of Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds have already submitted a £110m bid for the Swede – which has been rejected – but Howe looks destined to sell the wantaway star should the Magpies first land Sesko.
The Red Devils are in yet another period of transition. In November 2024, they appointed former Sporting CP boss Amorim to help the club compete back in the European places of the Premier League, but another disappointing campaign last season saw them ultimately finish in 15th and without a trophy.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are on the up after securing their first piece of silverware in 70 years in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool. They finished fifth last year in the Premier League and are set to compete in the Champions League once again this season.
Meanwhile, United will be without European football this campaign after losing the Europa League final 1-0 to Tottenham Hotspur.
All of these things may well factor into Sesko’s decision to pick black and white or Manchester red, with both sets of fans eagerly awaiting to see his choice made soon.
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