Newcastle United are considering another last-gasp bid for Lille defender Sven Botman as they attempt to force through a deadline day deal.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (30/01, p72), who claim that Newcastle are refusing to give on signing the Dutch defender this month.
Newcastle made a first bid of £29.1million, but that was rejected by Lille. When Newcastle improved that to £37.5million, Lille again stood firm.
Newcastle are now believed to be considering having one last go, seemingly believing they could force Lille’s hand on deadline day.
Lille don’t want to sell because of their Champions League last 16 clash with Chelsea, feeling that selling Botman would leave them short.
Newcastle are hoping a big bag of cash will tempt Lille though, with any deal surely heading towards £50million.
Botman, 22, was schooled at Ajax for 11 years before leaving for Lille in 2020, replacing now-Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
At 6ft 5in tall, Botman is a huge and imposing figure, even being branded a ‘machine’ by ex-Southampton star Jose Fonte.
Botman looks like a star of the future, and whilst Newcastle have focused on experience with Kieran Trippier and Chris Wood, Dutch ace Botman would be a building block for years to come.
Ultimately though, that immediate quality matched with enormous potential is exactly why Lille don’t want to sell.
Eddie Howe has been chasing a left-footed centre back this month, but actually already appear to have one coming in.
A deal has been agreed with Brighton and Hove Albion for Dan Burn, another experienced Premier League performer.
It would therefore be a surprise to see Newcastle sign another left-footed centre before the deadline, but maybe Newcastle feel Botman is just that good.
Newcastle had seemingly given up on Botman, but if The Mirror are to be believed, he’s a name to keep tabs on again with the deadline drawing closer.
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