Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has been discussing William Saliba and the interest shown in him this summer.
Marseille were keen to sign Saliba after his loan spell in Ligue 1, but apparently, AC Milan also showed an interest in the French centre-back.
According to Romano, Saliba was a name on Milan’s list, but interestingly, despite being fans of Saliba, their top priority signing in that position this summer was Sven Botman, who would, of course, eventually sign for Newcastle United.
Milan wanted Botman over Saliba
Romano shared Milan’s centre-back transfer priorities.
“Also, there were other clubs interested in Saliba. Let me mention AC Milan, they wanted Botman as their priority centre-back, but Saliba was in their list. Someone said this summer that Milan tried for a loan with a buy option, but that’s not true, Milan never negotiated for Saliba in the last three or four months because they knew he was untouchable,” Romano said.
Exciting
If Milan thought that Botman would be a better signing than Saliba, then Newcastle fans have a lot to be excited about here.
Yes, Saliba has started this season more impressively than Botman has, but Milan aren’t exactly poor operators in the transfer window.
They must’ve seen something in Botman that suggested to them he’d be a better signing than Saliba, and if he begins to show that regularly for Newcastle, then the Magpies will have a real gem on their hands here.
At the age of just 22, Botman has all of the potential in the world, and if he starts playing as well as Saliba has this season, he will look like one of the best signings Newcastle have ever made.
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