LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

‘If Newcastle pull this off, what a signing that’d be’: Rival fans think PIF could sign a gem

Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover
(L-R) Lille's Portuguese defender Jose Fonte, Lille's Dutch defender Sven Botman, Lille's Canadian forward Jonathan David and Lille's Mozambican defender Reinildo Mandava celebrate scoring during the UEFA Champions League group G football match VfL Wolfsburg v Lille LOSC in Wolfsburg, northern Germany on December 8, 2021. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP) (Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by RONNY HARTMANN/AFP via Getty Images

Even rival supporters on Twitter are very impressed by Newcastle United potentially signing Sven Botman.

The towering Dutch central defender is heavily linked with a transfer to St James’s Park.

Newcastle have already had one offer knocked back by Ligue 1 outfit Lille but the French side are ‘considering’ a second bid for the £35 million-rated powerhouse [The Athletic].

Clearly this is a player who Saudi Public Investment Fund are desperate to bring to Tyneside.

It’s also a footballer who was reportedly a Liverpool target at one stage.

And suffice to say that rival supporters on social media are impressed by the Magpies’ ambition here.

Admirable

Well, Newcastle’s attempts to stay in the Premier League is absolutely massive and therefore, yes their ambition is admirable.

United’s owners clearly recognise that avoiding relegation is a distinct possibility and are prepared to speculate to accumulate points.

Honestly, Newcastle’s escape is entirely plausible.

They have already signed Premier League-proven Kieran Trippier at right-back and adding Botman to the mix would substantially improve their defence.

Eddie Howe’s outfit are 19th in the standings but only two points adrift of 17th-placed Watford.

Clearly whatever Newcastle do in January could have a massive impact on their survival chances, hence Botman interest.

Newcastle United's Saudi Arabian chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan (L), Newcastle United's English minority owner Amanda Staveley (C) and her husband Mehrdad Ghodoussi (R) look on during the English FA Cup third round football match between Newcastle United and Cambridge United at St James' Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on January 8, 2022. - - RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. (Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Photo by PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images