Sky Sports presenter Joe Thomlinson has been speaking on the Football Daily YouTube channel about Newcastle United transfer target Sven Botman.
Newcastle have held a long-standing interest in the Dutch defender, although competition from Serie A champions Milan is seemingly making any potential deal that little bit more difficult.
Botman appears to have two choices this summer – either move to Italy and play for the famous Milan, or opt for a move to Tyneside that would see him become part of an exciting project under Eddie Howe and PIF.
Discussing the Toon’s transfer business to this point – which has seen the Magpies bring in Matt Targett on a permanent deal despite links to Atletico Madrid full-back Renan Lodi – Thomlinson appeared to be blown away by the fact Newcastle could land someone such as Botman this summer, saying:
“I don’t think there’s anybody quibbling over £12m for Matty Targett when they were being quoted £30m for Lodi. Probably a superior player, but do they need to spend £30m on a left-back? Probably not, when they might be able to get Botman through the door for a similar fee.
Will Newcastle sign Botman?
Yes!
No!
“If that happens, it’s a good signing, it’s a really good signing.”
TIF Thoughts on Botman potentially joining Newcastle…
While it appeared that Newcastle were starting to make good progress in their pursuit of Botman, having reportedly agreed a fee with Lille, the French club have now moved the goalposts and want the Magpies to offer them more money.
Indeed, this will have come as a huge blow for someone that PIF and Howe clearly rate, or they wouldn’t be spending a second transfer window chasing his signature. However, if his heart isn’t fully set on a move to Tyneside over Milan, the Magpies may be better off moving onto someone else.