Sven Botman has labelled Newcastle United’s summer transfer target, Renato Sanches, as ‘special’ on the midfielder’s Instagram.
Eddie Howe’s side were linked with a host of players during the 2022 summer transfer window and Sanches was one player on their list.
A hard-hitting midfielder, with great ball-carrying ability and also a key member of a Lille team that surprised many by winning the Ligue 1 title during the 2020/21 campaign, it was understandable why he was wanted by so many.
Newcastle did knock on Lille’s door and sign one of their key players, and whilst Botman was a great capture, he was the only player they were able to lure from the French club.
With the already-thriving Joelinton already bossing Premier League midfielders, added with the vision and technical ability of Bruno Guimaraes, it would have been some midfield had Sanches joined.
Instead, the hard-hitting Portugal international ended up signing for the French champions, PSG.
SANCHES DESERVES TO PLAY CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FOOTBALL
Many will remember that teenager that landed on Swansea City’s doorsteps from Bayern Munich and how he was very raw during the early part of his career.
Sanches just wasn’t ready for Premier League football, but that season in Swansea colours played a big part in where he is today.
Nonetheless, just as he was starting to warm-up in the colours of PSG, including scoring from the bench during his Ligue 1 debut for PSG, injuries have knocked him back for the past couple of weeks.
Either way, he is set to be a key player for the Champions League trophy-chasing side, including an important player for Portugal ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
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