Newcastle United will reportedly reignite their pursuit of highly-rated LOSC Lille defender Sven Botman with Eddie Howe prioritising a new centre-back in the summer.
According to the Mirror, after missing out on Sven Botman in the January transfer window, Newcastle still hold a keen interest in the player and are plotting a summer bid for the highly-rated Lille defender. The Dutchman is said to be keen to leave the Ligue 1 club and is excited by the prospect of joining Newcastle’s project under the cash-rich Saudi Arabia-led ownership.
As expected, Newcastle had a very busy January transfer window, and Eddie Howe will probably be pleased with his side’s efforts to bolster the squad. Kieran Trippier, Chris Wood, Bruno Guimaraes, Matt Targett, and Dan Burn all arrived on Tyneside for a combined sum of upwards of £90 million, making the Magpies the highest Premier League spenders in the transfer window.
Howe’s side have clearly put work in scouting world-class talents and planned a complete defensive revamp. However, given the manic nature of the transfer market, the Magpies missed out on top central defensive targets in Sven Botman and Sevilla’s Diego Carlos.
With Burn their only central defensive addition to shore up a backline that has conceded 43 league goals this term, signing another centre-back remains on the agenda for the Magpies. They have made Dutch sensation Botman their priority for the summer should they stay afloat in the Premier League.
Newcastle United spent much of the winter window being linked with a move for Botman, with Howe keen to add a top central defender to his options. The 22-year-old was their number one target, and multiple attempts were made to prise the player away from the Ligue 1 side. But Lille stood firm with their decision to wait until summer to get a better deal.
Botman has made rapid progress since joining Lille from Ajax in 2020. Despite his tender years, the youngster has shown maturity with his impressive displays and has been a rock at the back for the French outfit. Regarded as one of the best young central defenders in Europe, he was a vital component of Lille’s astonishing title success last term and their run to the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 this season.
The Dutch centre-half is a towering presence at 6ft 4in and is strong in defensive actions while being an intelligent game-reader and progressive distributor. He has the potential to become a future world-class star. At 22, the Dutch sensation will only improve with time, which fits Newcastle’s profile perfectly as they aim to build a strong team capable of competing for top honours in the long run.
The 22-year-old is under contract until 2025 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Not only will Newcastle have to shed a hefty fee, but they could also face stiff competition from the likes of Chelsea, West Ham United, and Manchester United should the player impress further on the continental stage.
