Everybody is waiting for Sven Botman’s agent. Newcastle United are eager to hear what he has to say, along with Lille president Olivier Letang. Both clubs have found a common ground (money), but the young Dutchman is still tight lipped and the Magpies needs answer now, as well as his current club. The reason is simple: they want to find the replacement as soon as possible: Newcastle in case he doesn’t want to come and Lille in case he wants to come. So far, we know this: Botman has always preferred to go to AC Milan, due to his admiration for former world class defender and now director Paolo Maldini, but also due to the Champions League games he has played with Lille and will be playing with Rossoneri. But, Letang wanted a bidding war for his star, since Lille is in financial trouble and needs to sell, and Botman is their last remaining ’expensive’ star in the team.On Botman nothing has fundamentally changed in last few days but as reported. #nufc believe they’re in pole position. We should finally get a decision this week. Until it’s done it’s not done etc. Howe returns from holiday soon. Ashworth watched player last night for Holland U21s— Luke Edwards (@LukeEdwardsTele) June 12, 2022 And bidding war he got, as Newcastle came in and offered between 45 and 50 million euros for the Dutchman, effectively ending Milan’s interest. Three days ago, they have walked off the negotiating table, never to come back, according to the reports. Contrary to the popular belief, the Magpies will not spent much in this transfer window, even thou they are the richest club. Their transfer kitty is believed to be ’only’ 100 million euros, plus any income from player’s sales, and considering they don’t have quality players to sell, that budget will not grow significantly. Newcastle have set their priorities: a center back, a winger, a striker and a goalkeeper (in that order). Also, they have decided to splash the cash on one ’marquee’ player, and so far, only Sven Botman (defender) and Moussa Diaby (winger) are in that category. They would give 45 to 50 million for one of them, since they are young, quality players and can be the cornerstone of the new team, who would want to attack the Champions League place in a few years.21.45: (1.32) England (5.40) Hungary (12.0)Newly appointed sporting director Dan Ashworth was in attendance for the Wales – Holland U21 game. He was there to see his son play for Wales, but off course, Botman was there too, and played 45 minutes in a 1-0 win. Ashworth is taking over all transfer business and just like he hurried Matt Taggart’s deal from Aston Villa, he apparently wants to finish the Botman deal one way or another by the end of this week. If Botman decides to go to the Premier League for bigger wage but no Champions League in the next couple of years, Newcastle will get their marquee signing and stop their interest in Diaby, and if not, they will turn to other defensive targets (Ibanez from Roma, Bremer from Torino etc.). There is another option which was forced by the French press last week, but those reports have ’died’ since, and that is that former Lille director and the man who bought Botman in the first place, Luis Campos wants to bring the youngster to his new club PSG. Money wouldn’t be a problem, the Champions League would be there, but for days now, nothing is happening.
