'From what I gather...' - Craig Hope says behind-scenes figures want 'golden boy' at Newcastle

Newcastle United target Sven Botman has the ‘unanimous’ approval of key figures behind the scenes at St. James’ Park, according to The Daily Mail’s Craig Hope. 

Amanda Staveley claimed earlier this year that Lille centre-back Botman ‘desperately wanted’ to join Newcastle in January.

The Magpies submitted ‘multiple offers’ but the Ligue 1 outfit simply refused to negotiate a winter sale (via The Athletic).

Eddie Howe did manage to add Dan Burn to his ranks in January but he would still like to sign another centre-back in the coming weeks.

Botman, under contract at Lille until June 2025, is valued at £27million by Transfermarkt.

North-East football correspondent Hope writes that the Botman deal is ‘one they’d like to do’ during the summer transfer window.

Unlike some other players on Newcastle’s shortlist, he says, the Dutchman has total backing from Magpies chiefs.

All at Newcastle have said ‘yes’ to the pursuit, and now it remains to be seen if they can pull it off.

Botman is one they’d like to do. From what I gather (unlike some others on shortlist) he gets a unanimous “yes” from all at Newcastle. https://t.co/x6WxmhJE7g

— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) June 2, 2022

Botman has attracted some rave reviews.

The director of his agency has billed him a ‘golden boy’ who has shown ‘extraordinary courage’, while compatriot Jaap Stam has backed him to become ‘one of the best centre-backs in Europe’

But the problem for Newcastle is that the player’s preference may be to join newly-crowned Serie A champions AC Milan.

Italian journalist Daniele Longo worryingly claims that Botman has made a move to the San Siro his ‘absolute priority’.

In other news, this journalist is buzzing over an NUFC transfer link.

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