'Interesting...' - Newcastle officials spotted as Craig Hope drops transfer update

Craig Hope has dropped some Newcastle United transfer news involving both Sven Botman and Diego Carlos.

Both Botman and Carlos were subject of strong interest at St. James’ Park in the January transfer window, as they reportedly made a bid for the former, while they pushed hard to try and sign Carlos after failing with Botman.

Nonetheless, they ended up signing Dan Burn from Brighton and Hove Albion instead, who has been superb, but that may not stop them looking for another central defender in the summer.

Replying to a Magpies fan on Twitter, The Daily Mail journalist Hope has revealed that the North East club sent officials to watch Lille’s clash at Stamford Bridge, but could now be looking at alternative options to Botman and Carlos:

“Sven Botman is interesting. They watched him when Lille played at Chelsea recently but there’s also now a suggestion they’re looking at other options.

“I’d say Diego Carlos is looking less likely given age & fee, it felt like one for January only.”

If the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) consortium were only to bring one of the players to Tyneside, then Botman should be the one that they go for.

The Lille centre-back is currently averaging more interceptions and clearances than Carlos is for Sevilla in their respective domestic leagues, while offensively, he has scored more goals, made more assists, and averages more dribbles and key passes at a higher success rate (WhoScored).

Crucially though, Botman is also seven years younger than Carlos at just 22, and so has a much higher ceiling.

Nonetheless, either would help elevate the quality of the backline, but if the Toon had to go for one, then Botman’s their man.

In other news, find out which ‘insane’ colossus NUFC are now ‘interested’ in