Newcastle United journalist Liam Kennedy has been discussing the club and a potential move for Sven Botman in the summer transfer window.
The Dutch defender, touted as a ‘rising defensive star’ in the game, was one of the names being floated around Newcastle in the January transfer window as they looked to strengthen a side that was heading into the turn of the year in a perilous position in the Premier League table, with just one win to their name.
The club pursued him hard, but ultimately weren’t able to come to an agreement with his current club Lille and he stayed in France as the window closed.
Given their recent form and position in the league, Eddie Howe’s men now have a great chance of staying up this season, and with that, comes the chance to splash some more cash and take the next step in becoming the big side that the owners want to be.
Speaking on the latest edition of NUFC Matters, when asked by a fan if the club were likely to go back in for a few players they didn’t get in the January transfer window such as the Dutchman, Kennedy claimed that while the 22-year-old is one of the best players at his position, he would be very surprised if Newcastle don’t pursue him once again when the transfer window opens:
He said: “Left-footed centre-halves – there aren’t a load of them around and Botman’s one of the best, particularly in his age group. So I think there is going to be interest there and particularly looking at what Amanda [Staveley] said, he still wants to come. So I would be surprised if they weren’t interested in someone like Botman in the summer.”
TIF Thoughts on Liam Kennedy’s comments about Sven Botman and Newcastle United…
Will Newcastle sign Botman?
Yes!
No!
The comments from Amanda Staveley that Kennedy are referring to came from an interview that the Toon director gave to The Athletic, in which she stated about Botman, as well as a number of their targets: “Some desperately wanted to come to us, like Sven [Botman], who still does very much and has talked very openly about that.”
So it does sound as if they want to pursue him based on Kennedy’s claim, and doing so would be something of a no-brainer.
Whilst the likes of Dan Burn have made an instant impact at the club, bringing in someone with the talent and prestige of Botman would be a big indicator that they want to move to the next level as a club as they look towards players that can take them there, especially if they can take him away from one of the numerous European clubs that have reportedly shown an interest in him in the past.
Let’s just hope that they’re able to carry on their form, finish strong and stay in the division so that they’ll be in a position to reignite their interest in him come the end of the campaign.
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