Newcastle United are reportedly ready to hijack AC Milan’s deal to sign 22-year-old Dutch defender Sven Botman with a late offer.
A recent report from Calciomercato has offered an update on the future of Sven Botman. AC Milan were believed to be the front-runners in the race to sign the LOSC Lille defender this summer. But the tables have turned recently following Newcastle United’s latest offer.
The report suggests the Premier League outfit have made a fresh approach that exceeds the bid from Milan. Newcastle United are willing to offer a better deal not only to Lille but also to Botman, which has impacted the course of the transfer saga despite the Dutch defender’s desire to join Milan.
Newcastle United were in the market for Botman during the January transfer window. The club’s hierarchy wanted to make the 22-year-old Dutchman the star of the new-look backline. But the move did not materialise as Lille had no intention to offload their prized defensive prospect in the middle of the season.
Les Dogues, though, are set to become far more receptive to offers for Botman in the coming summer, as they look to cut back on their losses following yet another disappointing financial year. In addition to Botman, the Ligue 1 club are also likely to offload Jonathan David, amid interest from Chelsea.
Having recently secured the Scudetto, Milan were believed to be firm favourites to sign Botman. The youngster was identified as an ideal long-term replacement for defensive leader Alessio Romagnoli and an ideal partner to Fikayo Tomori, in the years to come.
But Newcastle United are ready to pour water over Milan’s ambition by hijacking the deal to sign the 22-year-old Dutch defender. As mentioned earlier, the Magpies hold a long-term interest in the defender and want to make him the marquee figure in their new-look backline next season.
While the likes of Fabian Schar and Dan Burn have done reasonably well, coach Eddie Howe is prepared to upgrade his ranks by signing a far more technically astute centre-back. Newcastle United have recently entered the race to sign William Saliba, but Botman has been far more consistent at the highest level of football.
Also Read: Three players Newcastle United should pursue in the summer
However, Newcastle have a long way to go before they can secure the services of Sven Botman. Despite their offer, it will be difficult for the 22-year-old Dutchman to reject Milan, who are looking ahead at an ambitious project and can offer the prospect of Champions League football next season. The recent triumph in Serie A should also hand Milan a generous financial boost, though they cannot hope to match Newcastle’s new-found financial muscle.
