Newcastle United

Newcastle United: Journalist reveals star wants move despite transfer stall

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Image for Newcastle United: Journalist reveals star wants move despite transfer stall

According to journalist Dominic Scurr, Newcastle United target Sven Botman wants a summer move to Tyneside, and personal terms will not be a problem – but his club Lille are stalling in transfer negotiations.

Newcastle are looking to add more depth to the backline this summer, with a move for Botman heavily rumoured throughout the beginning of the transfer window, but a deal is yet to be agreed for the player.

Recently on the Fully Loaded Transfer Show on YouTube, Scurr revealed that it is in fact down to the Ligue 1 side as to why the deal has not been reached as the player wants to move to Newcastle, stating his interest started back in the January transfer window when the Magpies were in a relegation battle.

He said on the show: “With Sven Botman, the one thing I would say, the narrative that he doesn’t want to come to Newcastle certainly isn’t true. He wanted to come to Newcastle when they’re sitting 19th in the Premier League table in January when Lille are still in the Champions League.

“So okay, AC Milan is a factor – big club, Serie A champions, in the Champions League; they can offer that straight away. But if Newcastle come and give Sven Botman an offer, personal terms will not be an issue. It’s agreeing that fee with Lille that’s the issue.

“Not a lot of movement in the past week and we’ll just see where we go from here. It’s up in the air at the moment.”

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TIF Thoughts on Botman to Newcastle…

The Magpies could do with further improving their defence as they conceded the sixth-most goals in the league last season, more than Brentford, Burnley, and Crystal Palace. While they did sign successful players like Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier, adding a player like Botman could make them even better given his experience and form.

Last season, the Dutch defender averaged 1 tackle, 1 interception, 4.4 clearances, 2.4 aerial duels and 4.2 long balls per game, with an 88.2% passing accuracy, according to WhoScored. He also ranked in the 87th percentile for non-penalty goals in his position, as well as in the 74th for blocks per game and 70th for passes attempted, according to FBRef.

It is still unclear how much Newcastle will have to end up paying for the services of the 22-year-old, but with his potential and the instant impact he could have on this side in the Premier League, they should look to get this deal done before someone like Milan can swoop in.

Will Botman join NUFC?

Yes

Yes

No

No

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