Newcastle reignite transfer interest in old target with £33m bid

Joe Williams
Newcastle target Sven Botman controls the ball

Newcastle United reignited their interest in Lille defender Sven Botman last night with an improved bid, according to reports.

The Dutch defender has been linked with the Premier League strugglers ever since they were taken over by the Saudi Public Investment Fund, making them the richest club in world football.

Botman started his career in the famous Ajax academy before joining Lille in a deal worth around £7.5 million at the beginning of the 2020-2021 season.


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The centre-back made an immediate impact for his new club, making 37 appearances as Lille shocked Paris Saint-Germain to lift the Ligue 1 title.

On January 10, David Ornstein claimed that Newcastle had “all-but” given up on a deal to sign Botman after Lille were “refusing to consider” selling their star defender.

While another report said that the French club were ‘not engaging’ in a deal and that the Magpies latest bid had been rejected.

But apparently Newcastle launched a late bid to sign Botman again last night with Eddie Howe still looking to add a centre-back to his squad, with Brighton defender Dan Burn also linked.

Calciomercato journalist Daniele Longo has claimed that Newcastle made a €40m (£33m) bid ‘last night’ but the defender ‘wants to choose the future starting from next summer and is attracted by the strong interest of Milan’.

Meanwhile, Botman’s agent has confirmed he will stay in France and insisted that it is “not a disaster” that he hasn’t left in the January transfer window.

“He stays in France. Well, he’s not leaving this winter, no,” Botman’s representative, Nikkie Bruinenberg, told Voetbal International.

“There was indeed a lot of interest. There were also bids from several clubs, but ultimately no club was able to meet the asking price that Lille have in their head.

“No price was ever mentioned, and now they have decided simply not to sell him.

“They (Lille) have become champions and are now playing Champions League. It’s only his second season in a top league at a nice club, so it’s not a disaster to stay.”