Journalist Pete O’Rourke believes Newcastle United could be in a stronger position than their Premier League competitors to bring Lille defender Sven Botman to the club in the summer.
Lille have reportedly set a fee of £46m for their Dutch defender, and Newcastle were linked with a January move for the centre-back, before signing Dan Burn on the final day of the window.
GiveMeSport was told by O’Rourke that amid rumoured competition from Spurs, the north Londoners would not be able to compete financially if it came down to a bidding war between the two sides.
“If it came down between Spurs and Newcastle over fee and wages, I think there’s only one winner, and that’ll be Newcastle,” O’Rourke commented.
TIF Thoughts on a potential Sven Botman deal to the Premier League…
Botman is a highly sought-after central defender, who has been playing his football in Ligue 1 with Lille and has scored three goals in 16 league games this season.
At just 22 years old and having already cemented his place in Lille’s starting XI it is clear to see why Premier League clubs have shown interest.
However, as O’Rourke mentioned, there is really only one team who is going to win the financial battle at the moment in the Premier League after the Saudi takeover at Newcastle.
The Magpies have already shown they are willing to outbid their competitors when they signed Bruno Guimaraes from Lyon – and who’s to say they won’t continue to do this to ensure they get the players they desire.
Botman is an established international with a Ligue 1 winners’ medal to his name, so there is no shock that Lille will only accept a figure in the region of £46m, nor is it that Newcastle are thought to be in pole position.