Newcastle hold firm as Man City come calling for star man ahead of £86million move
Manchester City have reportedly approached Newcastle United regarding Sven Botman, before being told he’s not for sale and going all in for Josko Gvardiol.
City have the financial might to contend with almost any side on the planet. That, coupled with the fact they’ve won the Premier League in five of the last six seasons, means they can sign almost anybody they want, with a move to the club a very attractive one.
It will be even more attractive for some players after the Citizens finally broke their Champions League duck last season.
However, the City juggernaut is seemingly not strong enough to get everything they want. Indeed, NUFCBLOG reports they came calling for Magpies defender Botman and were shut down.
The report states a ‘source with strong links in recruitment’ told the site Botman was enquired about, before City settled on the signing of RB Leipzig defender Gvardiol.
That’s because of a ‘swift and firm’ Newcastle response, in which they informed the title winners Botman was ‘not for sale at any price’.
Interest from City shows not only how good of a player the centre-back is, but also how impressive Newcastle have been of late. Indeed, title-winning City wanting one of their players reinforces the magnitude of their journey up the table.
That saw them finish fourth in the league last season and secure Champions League football. Their own financial situation, coupled with how things are going on the pitch means they can keep their players out of reach of big sides.
Indeed, Botman may have not wanted to go anyway, given how well he’s been performing with the club.
For City, missing out on him might not be a massive blow. If they are to sign Gvardiol, they’ll be getting a very good player, who is only going to get better over the years, given he’s just 21.
It’s been suggested he’ll command a fee of £86million, a world-record fee for a defender. Given they were told Botman would not be available at any price, that’s clearly the more attainable transfer anyway.