Lille’s president admits he’ll ‘discuss’ selling Sven Botman in the summer transfer window with Premier League pair Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur set to renew their interest, speaking via Tribal Football.
As far as Botman are concerned, Newcastle just won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.
The Magpies made a series of bids for the Dutch international last month, failing with a final offer in the region of £33 million on deadline day (Calciomercato).
Newcastle aren’t going to give up that easily however.
And, just last week, the £45 million-rated Botman refused to rule out a move to St James’ Park at the end of the current campaign. Providing Newcastle are still a Premier League club by the time June rolls around, of course.
According to The Telegraph, Newcastle will face competition from Tottenham Hotspur next time around.
Managing director Fabio Paratici wants a young, up-and-coming central defender. And the 22-year-old Botman ticks plenty of boxes as far as Spurs are concerned.
Will Sven Botman end up at Spurs or Newcastle United?
“Sven already had opportunities to leave last summer,” Olivier Letang explains. “I told him that he wouldn’t leave and that we would discuss it again at the end of the season.
“He’s a great person and a top player. (He) deserves to play for a club who can win the Champions League.
“If there’s something which satisfies everyone next summer, we will discuss it (a transfer). It’s important to stick to your commitments.”
Botman, a former Ajax youngster who helped guide Lille to their first Ligue 1 title in a decade last season, will probably have to put his Champions League ambitions to one side when weighing up his next club.
Newcastle, Spurs and fellow suitors Wolverhampton Wanderers may be proud, historic footballing institutions but European heavyweights they are not.
Nonetheless, a big-money move across the Channel would still represent a big step in Botman’s journey towards the top of the club game.
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