Dharmesh Sheth has shared that Lille want ‘in excess of £60 million’ for one of Newcastle United’s ‘primary targets’, Sven Botman, as he told the Transfer Show on Sky Sports (03/01/22 at 7:10 pm).
The Sky reporter added that all of this is ‘easier said than done’ because the current French champions don’t want to sell their star defender.
Botman has a contract at Lille until 2025, so there is no pressure on the club to part ways with their player, from that perspective.
But, at the end of the day, money talks, and even though Botman is playing Champions League football, those in Newcastle colours will feel they can lure his hard-hitting talents to the north east shores this month.
Sky reporter Sheth thinks, whilst it’s unlikely Botman will be packing his bags during this window, there is an expectancy that he will depart in the summer, alongside some of his star teammates.
“One of the primary targets for them is the Lille defender, Sven Botman,” said Sheth. “But that one would be easier said than done.
“It looks increasingly difficult to do such a deal because Lille simply don’t want to sell. They are still in the Champions League. They are still fighting in Ligue 1 to finish in the Champions League places. And Botman has a contract at Lille until 2025, so really under no pressure to sell.
“One contact has said to me that Lille would want in excess of £60 million if they are to ever consider doing business in the January transfer window considering the competitions that they are in.
“Another contact said to me, given Lille’s financial situation, because they are in a bit of trouble. The likes of Sven Botman, Renato Sanches and Jonathan David. They are all expected to leave, but not in this transfer window, but perhaps in the summer.”
Newcastle will be the main event during the January transfer window, which for their fans, is a big change, for once.
Usually, if they bring in a free transfer it’s seen as some sort of success given the abject manner in which Mike Ashley used to run the club.
But with the Saudi’s sitting in the VIP section, this Newcastle train, which is currently set to miss its scheduled arrival for next season’s Premier League platform, needs speeding up.
And one obvious area the recently-appointed Eddie Howe can head down is bringing in fresh faces during domestic football’s shortest transfer window.
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