Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has been speaking on the latest episode of his Here We Go podcast to discuss Newcastle United’s interest in Sven Botman.
With just a matter of weeks now separating the Premier League from the January transfer window, the Magpies are set to undertake their final chance to improve their squad in their bid to survive the drop.
Can you see Botman leaving Lille for NUFC?
Yes
Claims have emerged over recent weeks suggesting Eddie Howe and the Newcastle board have marked Lille centre-back Botman as a potential target for the January window to sure up their defence.
And given the Toon have already conceded the most goals (34) of any Premier League side so far this season, addressing their defensive options may be a smart place to start.
Discussing whether there is any truth in the reports to emerge regarding a potential swoop for the Ligue 1 defender, Romano issued the following information:
“I say that it’s real, the interest of Newcastle for Sven Botman, so they have a serious interest and they’re showing interest for Botman.
“Now, we have to see if Lille will be open to selling the player because they have a Champions League clash with Chelsea, and also because Newcastle want to understand about the price.
“Also, AC Milan are interested in Botman because they have to replace Simon Kjaer, who is injured. But Newcastle are leading the race and pushing in this moment to sign Botman in January. Let’s see what happens in the negotiation with Lille.”
TIF Thoughts on Botman to NUFC…
We think the 21-year-old would be a huge coup for the Magpies if it was a deal they were able to get over the line given the role he has played in Lille’s recent success.
Botman played a big part in last season’s title-winning campaign and has already featured 11 times in the league for Lille despite his recent groin injury (via Transfermarkt).
However, we have major concerns over whether the Toon would be able to prise Botman away from Lille in January with the Dutchman currently playing Champions League football with the French side.
The defender has the last-16 games against Chelsea coming up in the new year and we are not convinced that a move to a relegation-fighting Premier League side would prove attractive enough for an in-demand prospect such as Botman.
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